Business Council of Alabama president and CEO Katie Boyd Britt will provide the keynote address at Troy University’s Fall Commencement Exercises on Dec. 13.

The ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. in Trojan Arena, where 673 students will receive degrees, including 502 undergraduates, 159 graduate students, and five education specialist students. Six will receive the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. In total, 25 U.S. states, 3 U.S. territories and 14 countries outside the United States are represented.

Britt, became BCA’s first female president and CEO – and its youngest – in January 2019. BCA is a statewide association that advocates for companies of all sizes throughout Alabama. Prior to that, she served as chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, after having practiced corporate law with Butler Snow in Birmingham and Montgomery.

She holds the distinction of being the youngest press secretary in the U.S. Senate, having served in that role and the role of deputy press secretary for Shelby prior to her joining Butler Snow, where she organized the firm’s Government Affairs practice in Alabama.

In her most recent Capitol Hill role, she served as Shelby’s chief advisor, putting her in direct touch with many Alabama issues, including appropriations needs. As BCA chief, she helped spearhead Gov. Kay Ivey’s “Rebuild Alabama Act,” the state’s first significant infrastructure investment since the early 1990s. 

A native of Enterprise, Britt earned a degree in political science at the University of Alabama, and served as president of the Student Government Association. She earned a juris doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law.

Outside of her work with BCA, she has been active on the YWCA Central Alabama Junior Board. Britt and husband, Wesley, have two children and reside in Montgomery.

Tickets for this fall’s commencement are not required.