‘Sister’ named to new jobs commission

Published 12:30 am Saturday, February 12, 2011

An Andalusia resident is among those appointed this week by Rep. Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn), speaker of the House of Representatives, to serve on a Commission on Job Creation.

The commission, comprised of business leaders, is tasked with identifying opportunities to boost private sector job growth through changes in state laws and policies.

Patricia “Sister Schubert” Barnes, founder of Sister Schubert’s Rolls and a resident of Andalusia, is among those named to the commission.

Others include Rep. Phil Williams (R-Mad-ison), chairman; David Muhlendorf of Sheffield; Myla Calhoun Choy of Birmingham; Shannon Speir of Montgomery; Ruffner Page of Birmingham; Carl Jamison of Tuscaloosa; Marc Bendickson of Huntsville; Wade Patterson; Cheryl Smiley Williams of Mobile; Sanjay Singh of Birmingham; Charles Nailen Jr. of Dothan; Roger D. Lethander of Auburn; and Denise Knox of Fairhope;

In his inaugural address, Gov. Robert Bentley asked all state government entities to work in their individual capacities to create jobs in Alabama. Hubbard said the legislature has a responsibility to answer the governor’s mandate and explore ways to jumpstart job growth through legislation.

The Commission will hold regional “leadership exchanges” throughout the state, in which local chambers of commerce and members of the business community will be invited to share their ideas for policies promoting private sector growth. The first leadership exchange is scheduled for Feb. 15 in Huntsville.