News

Tuscaloosa, AL - Each year, The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama honors civic leaders and trailblazers that have made an impact on the quality, livability and economic progress of our community. The Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame was born during the Chamber’s 100th anniversary year in 2000 and is designed to honor exceptional citizens who have made significant, long-term contributions to the overall development of Tuscaloosa County.

Organizations, businesses and individual citizens submitted nominations for the 2026 class. These were reviewed by a committee and honorees were selected.

Honorees will be inducted into the Civic Hall of Fame on Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Tuscaloosa River Market.

The 2026 Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame honorees are:

James Sawyer Brooks

Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, James “Jim” Brooks has dedicated more than five decades to serving the community he calls home. Since beginning his career with Phifer Incorporated in 1972, where he currently serves as Senior Executive Vice President, Brooks has combined business leadership with a strong commitment to education, workforce development, healthcare, faith and philanthropy throughout West Alabama.

A lifelong member of Christ Episcopal Church, Brooks has served on the Vestry and continues to serve as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. He is also Vice President of the Connect Board, supporting the church’s outreach ministry for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease and other memory-related disorders.

Brooks currently serves on The University of Alabama President’s Cabinet and as Co-Chair of The Rising Tide Capital Campaign. His civic service has also included leadership with the Druid City Regional Medical Center Foundation, the State of Alabama Workforce Development Board and Junior Achievement of Tuscaloosa County.

Together with his wife, Karen, Brooks has been a longtime supporter of United Way of West Alabama. Throughout his life, he has quietly supported countless individuals, organizations and community initiatives, leaving a lasting legacy of generosity, leadership and service across Tuscaloosa County.

Carl T. Jamison

A lifelong resident of Tuscaloosa, Carl T. Jamison graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1981. He is a former shareholder of JamisonMoneyFarmer PC, the firm founded by his grandfather in 1920, and continues to serve clients after more than four decades in the profession.

Jamison has devoted significant time to civic and community leadership throughout Tuscaloosa and Alabama. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama as Past Chairman and is Vice Chairman of the DCH Healthcare Authority Board. He is also a Past Chairman of the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority, a Fellow and Past President of the DCH Foundation, and a founding officer of the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center.

His service has also included leadership with the Business Council of Alabama, First Tee of Tuscaloosa, Boys & Girls Clubs of West Alabama, Children’s Hands-On Museum, Theatre Tuscaloosa and the Alabama Golf Association. In 2022, he was recognized as a Pillar of West Alabama by the Community Foundation of West Alabama.

Jamison also serves The University of Alabama through the President’s Cabinet and Planned Giving Council and has served First Presbyterian Church as both an Elder and Deacon.

Julie Pogue Sittason

A lifelong Tuscaloosa resident, Julie Pogue Sittason has dedicated both her professional career and community service to improving the quality of life for individuals and families throughout West Alabama. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Alabama and has spent decades developing programs that expand access to healthcare, support vulnerable populations and strengthen community resources.

Sittason served as Executive Director of Hospice of West Alabama from 1986 to 2007, where she expanded services throughout the region, helped the organization become the first community-based hospice in Alabama to earn Joint Commission accreditation and led the development of the state’s first community-based inpatient hospice facility. She later served as Executive Director of the Good Samaritan Clinic, where she helped expand free medical, dental and nutritional services for underserved residents.

Her community involvement has included service with United Cerebral Palsy, Maude Whatley Health Clinic, Castle Hill Clinic, the West Alabama Literacy Council and numerous hospice and human-service organizations. She has also written grants supporting literacy programs, special-needs students and local schools.

Sittason continues her service as a founding board member, grant writer and volunteer with Connect, Where Love Never Forgets, reflecting a lifelong commitment to compassionate care, advocacy and service throughout Tuscaloosa County.

Victor Hugo Friedman

A native of Tuscaloosa, Victor Hugo Friedman was a business leader, philanthropist and devoted supporter of youth, The University of Alabama and the Tuscaloosa community.

Born in 1878, Friedman attended The University of Alabama from 1894 to 1897, earning a degree in mining engineering and beginning a lifelong relationship with the University.

After working briefly as an engineer, Friedman entered the cotton business and established the Friedman-Hansard Cotton Company. During World War I, he served in Italy as an officer with the Red Cross and, after returning home, was credited with founding the Red Cross chapter in Tuscaloosa.

Known affectionately as “Mr. Hugo,” Friedman was especially devoted to helping young people. He quietly provided financial assistance to hundreds of University students and supported athletic programs during years of limited funding. Friedman Hall, an early athletic dormitory, was named in his honor.

Friedman also played a significant role in Tuscaloosa’s civic and economic development. He helped found the Commerce Club, which later became the Tuscaloosa Chamber of Commerce and today’s Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, and was a founding charter member of the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa.

His generosity also supported community institutions, including the Central YMCA and Friedman Library. Friedman died in 1965, leaving a lasting legacy of leadership, philanthropy and service to Tuscaloosa and The University of Alabama.

The 2026 Civic Hall of Fame ceremony is presented by The University of Alabama.

Gold Sponsors: Award Company of America, Lamar Advertising, Robertson Banking Company

Silver Sponsors: Alabama Public Radio, Hudson-Poole Fine Jewelers

Reception Sponsors: Phifer Incorporated

For more information, contact Carolyn Tubbs, at caroyln@westalabamachamber.com

Source: The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama