Former State Rep. Kyle South is headed back to the Alabama State House and Brennan Johnson is headed back to Capitol Hill – this time, on behalf of the University of Alabama System.
The System named the former Fayette lawmaker Assistant Vice Chancellor for State Affairs and Brennan Johnson Assistant Vice Chancellor for Federal Affairs on Thursday.
Both are well known figures to lawmakers and anyone who has worked a legislative session in Montgomery over the past decade.
South served as vice chair of the House General Fund Committee, sat on the Rules Committee, and served as floor leader to House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) – a classmate from the freshman class of 2014.
He spent three terms representing House District 16 and gave up his seat in 2023 to run the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, where he has served as president and CEO. His tenure covered Nick Saban’s retirement and the United Auto Workers’ failed organizing drive at Mercedes-Benz in Tuscaloosa County.
South informed the Chamber’s board in a letter Thursday that he will leave at the end of October.
He starts with the System on November 2.
South will work under Vice Chancellor for State Affairs Porter Banister, a mainstay of Yellowhammer News’ annual Power & Influence list, who has represented UA before the legislature for over 20 years.
“Kyle has spent his career working at the intersection of public policy, business and community needs,” Banister said.
“His experience navigating complex policy issues, fostering collaboration and advancing initiatives that benefit communities throughout Alabama positions him to be a strong advocate for the UA System and its mission.”
Johnson, a Yellowhammer News Power & Influence: Who’s Next? list honoree in 2025, counts former U.S. Senator Richard Shelby and Governor Kay Ivey among his previous bosses.
He spent more than eight years in Shelby’s office, served as Ivey’s Senate liaison and most recently was assistant legal counsel at RSA, where he handled legislative work with state lawmakers and the congressional delegation.
He holds a law degree from George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School and a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Alabama. South is also a UA graduate.
Johnson will serve under Vice Chancellor for Federal Affairs Ray Cole, who came to the System in 2023 after 24 years at the government affairs firm Van Scoyoc Associates.
“Throughout his career, Brennan has earned the trust of government officials and stakeholders by pairing thoughtful policy analysis with a deep understanding of Alabama,” Cole said.
“His experience in both federal and state government will help strengthen our ability to demonstrate the impact of the UA System and advance priorities that benefit our institutions and those we serve across the state.”
The Office of External Affairs handles state and federal government relations for the University of Alabama, UAB, UAH and the UAB Health System.
Alabama’s 2027 state legislative session will kick off on February 2 – now 117 days away.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
