Dan Blakley is the Associate Vice President for Economic Development at The University of Alabama. He has been in this position since January 6, 2020.
In this position, Blakley oversees economic development and industry engagement efforts including the UA Gulf Coast operation in Mobile, Alabama, and the Economic and Business Outreach Center (including the Alabama International Trade Center, Alabama Small Business Development Center, the APEX Accelerator, and the Center for Economic Development).
Blakley is well known in Alabama and to the UA community. He was City President for Regions Bank in Tuscaloosa from 2009 to 2018. He also previously served as Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, President of the Black Warrior Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and an ex-officio board member of the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority Board, among others. He currently serves on the advisory board for Mercedes Benz US International, the Tuscaloosa National Airport advisory committee, and as an ex-officio board member of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.
Blakley has also been involved in various entrepreneurial initiatives. He helped to establish The EDGE Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and has served as an advisor and mentor for entrepreneurial teams participating in National Science Foundation I-Corp Program. He led UA efforts to establish the Techstars WaterTech and Sustainability Accelerator in Tuscaloosa. Dan has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Southern Illinois University. Blakley served as a Chemical Officer in the U.S. Army from 1996-2000.