Sec. Fitzgerald Washington  has served as Secretary of the Alabama Department of Labor since 2014. During his tenure, the Department has launched a statewide marketing campaign, initiated a new job fair initiative that brings available jobs to Alabamians, and has participated in a new alignment of workforce regions that allows for better distribution of state workforce resources.

Washington currently serves on the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) Board of Directors representing Region IV and is a member of the National Association of Government Labor Officials (NAGLO).

Washington is a member of the Alabama Workforce Council, the Alabama Small Business Commission, the State Workforce Development Board and the Alabama Bicentennial 200 Commission.

Prior to his appointment as the Secretary of the Alabama Department of Labor, Washington worked for The Buffalo Rock Company for 15 years, serving as Corporate Marketing and Sales Director handling the company’s multicultural marketing initiatives before being promoted to General Sales Manager in 2002.

Washington has served as a past Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, where he helped create the Minority Business Council to foster growth and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses in West Alabama. Other community involvement includes the Druid City Business League, Black Warrior Council Board, BB&T Bank Advisory Board, Board of Visitors for the University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies, and DCH Health Systems Foundation Board of Directors.

Washington, his wife Peggy, and their two children Karla and Fitzgerald reside in Tuscaloosa.

 

 

Marta Mendes-Miguel Self is the Head of Corporate Philanthropy for Regions Bank and the Executive Director of the Regions Foundation. She manages the operations of the Regions Foundation as well as Regions Bank’s philanthropic community investments.

With more than 23 years of experience in marketing strategy, risk management and strategy consulting, Marta brings a unique skill set that informs Regions purpose-led and performance-driven approach to community engagement.

Marta joined Regions Bank in 2006 and most recently worked in Risk Management where she led several strategic programs. Prior to this, she served in various roles in Corporate Marketing and Internal Consulting. Before joining Regions, she was a consultant with Bain & Company in the Sao Paulo and London offices. She received an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and holds an M.S. and B.S. in Engineering from the University of Campinas in Brazil.