MOBILE, Ala. – The Mobile Area Chamber Foundation has named Liz Freeman, president of Long’s Human Resource Services, as chairman of its board of directors for 2026, positioning her to lead the organization’s work advancing economic and community development initiatives across the region.

Three new board members have been appointed to the Foundation: Kim Garrett of 68 Ventures, Mike Jordan of the Alabama Power Foundation and Laura O’Connor of the Mobile Chamber.

“The Chamber Foundation plays a unique role in bringing together business and community partners to move Mobile forward,” said Bradley Byrne, president and CEO of the Mobile Chamber. “We look forward to the insight and leadership this year’s board will bring to our work strengthening the region’s economy and creating pathways to opportunity.”

Board Chairman: Liz Freeman – Long’s Human Resource Services
Liz Freeman is a third-generation owner and CEO of Long’s Human Resource Services, a staffing and recruiting firm serving Mobile and Baldwin counties.

A graduate of Vanderbilt University with a B.S. in human and organizational development, she has been with the company since 1998 and oversees all business operations.

Freeman is deeply engaged in community leadership, serving on multiple advisory and nonprofit boards including the Regions Bank Advisory Board, USA Health Advisory Board, UMS-Wright Preparatory School Board of Trustees, UMS-Wright Foundation Board of Trustees, USA Mitchell College of Business Advisory Council, South Alabama Medical Science Foundation Board and the Dr. Monte L. Moorer Foundation distribution committee. A graduate of Leadership Mobile and Leadership Alabama, she previously chaired the Mobile Chamber Board of Directors in 2017.

 

Board Vice President: Laura O’Connor – Mobile Chamber
Laura O’Connor serves as the Vice President of Community Development for the Mobile Chamber.

Since re-establishing the community development department in 2023, she has raised more than $5.5 million in federal grants and private funding to launch programs including MoGo Rideshare, the Legal Technical Assistance Pilot, a Childcare for Workforce initiative and secured the Gulf Coast Chambers Network’s selection as an EDA Recompete Phase 1 finalist.

With extensive leadership experience in grant administration, healthcare management and community development, including 27 years at the University of South Alabama, O’Connor has built her career on identifying community needs and creating collaborative solutions.

 

Kim Garrett – 68 Ventures
Kim Garrett serves as director of communications for 68 Ventures, leading brand strategy, marketing, events, business development support and philanthropic engagement across the Gulf Coast.

She previously spent more than 13 years in nonprofit leadership, including as director of Victory Health Partners in Mobile, where she oversaw operations and fundraising that raised more than $12 million for underserved patients.

A graduate and former dean of Leadership Mobile, Garrett serves on several civic and nonprofit boards and was named Mobile Bay Monthly’s 40 Under 40 in 2022.

 

Mike Jordan – Alabama Power Company
Mike Jordan serves as vice president of Mobile Division for Alabama Power Company, overseeing community and economic development initiatives and external affairs across southwest Alabama.

He previously served as area manager for Alabama Power’s Southern Division from 2013 to 2025, leading external activities across a 13-county region.

Jordan began his career with Alabama Power in 2008 as legislative affairs manager after serving with Gov. Fob James and the Alabama House of Representatives. He is active in workforce and nonprofit leadership and holds degrees from Samford University and Troy University.

 

 

2026 Mobile Area Chamber Foundation Board of Directors

• Liz Freeman, Chairman – Long’s Human Resource Services
• Eliska Morgan, Chair-elect – Thompson Engineering
• Robert Baker, Secretary – Hancock Whitney Bank
• Bradley Byrne, President – Mobile Chamber President and CEO
• Laura O’Connor, Vice President – Mobile Chamber VP of Community Development
• Michi Lunceford, Treasurer – Mobile Chamber CFO
• James Watkins, Legal Counsel – Maynard Cooper & Gale PC
• Teresa Williamson, Chamber Board Chair – Roberts Brothers Real Estate Inc.
• Olivier Charles – Bishop State Community College
• Kim Garrett – 68 Ventures
• George Hunter – Spire Energy
• Mike Jordan – Alabama Power Company
• Marietta Urquhart – White-Spunner Realty
• Contina Woods – Regions Bank