CONTACT: Zach Thomas, Director of Marketing and Communications, rzthomas@ua.edu.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Alabama Business Hall of Fame inducted seven new members for 2024 in a black-tie ceremony on Thursday, November 14 at Haven in downtown Birmingham, attended by about 500 individuals, including business, community, and higher-ed leaders, and former inductees.
Rob Burton
Rob Burton is the CEO of Hoar Holdings. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in building science, Burton held positions of increasing responsibility until he was named president in 1996 and CEO in 2001. Additionally, in 1997, Burton established a top-25 ranked national program management company, HPM, that offers design and construction expertise to institutions and companies around the country.
Raymond J. Harbert
Raymond J. Harbert is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Harbert Management Corporation, one of the largest alternative asset investment management firms in the Southeast. In 1993, Harbert launched Harbert Management Corporation, the first multi-alternative asset investment management firm in Alabama. Today, HMC manages over $8 billion of assets under management. He graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management.
Thomas A. Harris
Thomas A. Harris is an investment banker and entrepreneur who has founded several successful ventures. After graduating from Auburn University in 1971 with a business degree, Harris worked for First Alabama Bankshares as head of national accounts and business development. He later founded Merchant Capital, which Stifel Nicolaus Financial Corp acquired. In 2021, he founded Birmingham Recovery Center and Longleaf Wellness and Recovery Centers, and in 2023, he partnered in launching YHN Media Group, LLC.
Dr. Marnix E. Heersink
Marnix E. Heersink is an ophthalmologist and co-founder of Eye Center South. Born in the Netherlands, Heersink earned his bachelor’s and medical degrees at the University of Western Ontario in Canada. Following a surgical internship, an ophthalmology residency, and an anterior segment surgery fellowship, he moved to Dothan, Alabama, where he helped found Eye Center South in 1978. Eye Center South now has operations throughout the Southeast.
Thomas H. Lowder
Thomas H. Lowder is the former chairman and chief executive officer of Colonial Properties Trust, a multifamily-focused real estate investment trust with commercial assets in the Sunbelt region of the United States. After 20 years as a public company, Colonial Properties underwent mergers to become one of the largest and most successful apartment real estate investment trusts on the NYSE, with a market capitalization of over $16 billion. Lowder graduated with honors from Auburn University with a bachelor of science degree.
Claude B. Nielsen
Claude B. Nielsen is the retired CEO and chairman of the board of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. After earning a bachelor’s degree in business from Sewanee: The University of the South and an MBA from the University of Virginia, Nielsen joined Coca-Cola in 1979. Birmingham-based Coca-Cola United is now among the largest bottlers and distributors of Coke products in the U.S. with over $4 billion in annual revenues.
Nick L. Saban
Nick L. Saban is a sportscaster, sports analyst, entrepreneur, and retired college and professional football coach. After playing defensive back at Kent State University, he graduated in 1973 with a bachelor’s in business, then in 1975, from the same university, with a master’s in sports administration. His career led him to head coach of college and professional football teams, winning seven national championships during his tenure. He is most recognized for leading the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2007 to 2024. He now works as an analyst for ESPN and is also co-owner of Dream Motor Corp., which operates automotive dealerships.
- Read longer inductee bios here.
- Watch videos about each individual inductee here.
- See and download photos of the induction ceremony here.
Candice Todd, vice chair of the Alabama Business Hall of Fame Board, welcomed attendees to the event and provided the invocation. Dr. Kay M. Palan, dean of the Culverhouse College of Business, introduced each inductee to the stage after the playing of videos highlighting the various inductees’ careers and contributions to the community.
2024 Alabama Business Hall of Fame Corporate Tables
- Alabama Power
- Anderson & Anderson LLC
- Anderson Growth Partners
- Auburn Athletics/Tigers Unlimited Foundation
- Auburn University
- Auburn University Harbert College of Business
- B.A.S.S. LLC
- Birmingham Business Alliance
- Books-A-Million
- Brasfield & Gorrie
- Ronald G. Bruno
- Coca-Cola
- Coca-Cola UNITED
- Dentons Sirote PC
- Drummond Company, Inc.
- Ernst & Young LLP
- Fairway Investments, LLC
- Great Southern Wood Preserving, Inc.
- Harbert Management Corporation
- Hoar Construction
- John D. Johns
- Kowaliga Capital, Inc.
- Ligon Industries
- Lockton Companies
- McWane Inc.
- PNC Bank
- Regions Bank
- Scout Energy Partners
- Synovus Bank
- TNT Fireworks
- The University of Alabama Athletics
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham
- The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business
- The University of Alabama System
- Vulcan Materials
- Wynn’s Grain and Spice
About the Alabama Business Hall of Fame
Founded in 1973, the Alabama Business Hall of Fame honors, preserves and perpetuates the names and outstanding accomplishments of business personalities who have brought lasting fame to the State of Alabama, whether it occurred in Alabama or not.
The Alabama Business Hall of Fame is located in Hewson Hall on The University of Alabama campus.
The Hall of Fame is governed by a 26-member Board of Directors. This body established the criteria for selecting inductees, determines the eligibility and election process for how these candidates shall be elected to the Hall of Fame. All candidates must have been deceased or in retirement at least three years, except for those who are 65 years of age and older, and still active in business. To be eligible for selection, an individual must have made a significant impact on the development of their community and state by promoting the free enterprise system and entrepreneurship.
Nominations for induction into the Hall of Fame are submitted to the 26-member Board of Directors.
This board of directors is composed of Alabama Business Hall of Fame members, business leaders who are alumni and/or affiliates of a diverse representation of the state’s higher education institutions, and each congressional district in the state of Alabama.