Governor Ivey Appoints Small Business Champion and Former Air Force Colonel Stacia Robinson to Lead Alabama Office of Minority Affairs

Montgomery – Gov. Kay Ivey announced Tuesday that she will hire Stacia Robinson as director of the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs. Nichelle Nix, who has held the position for the past six years, is moving to the private sector to practice law.

Robinson is from BeneChoice Companies, LLC, a benefits and financial options firm. She also serves as Country Manager for Colonial Life Insurance Company. The governor described Robinson as a small business champion. Robinson’s expertise in business engagement includes employee benefits design and administration, as well as advertising consulting and professional speaking.

“As we prepare to turn the page and reset state government at our upcoming inauguration in January, I’m proud to assemble the strongest team possible to serve every Alabamian to the best of our ability. Today in 2022, we can reflect on the significant progress I have made during my first term and are excited about the work ahead, and I am proud to have Stacia Robinson on board,” Governor Ivey said. “From wanting to involve our students in Alabama’s historically black colleges and universities, to supporting minority and women-owned businesses, to ensuring that every Alabamian has the opportunity to raise a family, we are developing important and necessary goals, and having Stacia at the helm of the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs will play an important role. I believe good things will happen to our people.”

Robinson also recently sold the BNI-Business Network Int’l Franchise she owned for 25 years. Further reiterating the fact that Robinson is a champion of small business, her local involvement in Montgomery includes serving on the Montgomery Industrial Development Council, the NFIB Leadership Council, the Alabama Small Business Council, and many others. She was also the first African-American woman to serve on the board of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. As chair of the Marketing and Promotions Task Force of the Council of Small Businesses (COSBE), she received the ADDY Award for the “Buy Greater Montgomery” campaign. Robinson is excited to bring her experience to the Ivey Government.

“I look forward to serving the great state of Alabama in this role on behalf of women and minorities,” Robinson said. “I hope to bring my own experience and the curiosity of others to this role as this administration strives to make ‘Alabama the Beautiful’ also a state of Alabama for its citizens, especially women and all minorities A better place for the nation.”

A military career brought the Denver, Colorado native to Alabama. During her seven years as a communications computer officer in the Air Force, she completed a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Development at Troy University in Montgomery. Before that, she earned a BA in Mathematics from Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Governor Ivey remains focused on keeping Alabama innovative and preparing the state’s students and workforce for tomorrow’s economy, which she believes Robinson will help.

Outgoing director Nichelle Nix added, “It has been a great honor to lay the foundation for the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs and serve the people of Alabama for more than six years. I am truly grateful to Governor Ivey for this tremendous opportunity and look forward to what the Ivey Administration will bring All good things.”

Robinson’s appointment took effect Jan. 1, ahead of the governor’s second term. Governor Ivey will take office on Monday, January 16, 2023.

(Stacia is pronounced like Stacey-uh)

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