
Dr. Robert Bentley was elected Governor of Alabama in November 2010, promising
to Putting Alabamians Back to Work. With Alabama's struggling economy, he gained
voters attention when he promised he would not accept a salary as Governor until
Alabama reaches full employment.
Prior to becoming Governor, Dr. Bentley served two terms in the Alabama House of
Representatives representing his Tuscaloosa district.
He founded a number of small businesses, the most successful being Alabama Dermatology
Associates. As President of Alabama Dermatology Associates, Dr. Bentley managed the
practices growth into one of the largest dermatology practices in the Southeast.
Early in his career, after graduating from the University of Alabama School of
Medicine, he was commissioned Captain in the United States Air Force and later
Hospital Commander. Upon completion of his military service he completed his residency
in Dermatology at UAB.
Governor Bentley currently chairs the Appalachian Regional Commission and is a member
of the Economic Development and Commerce Commission with the National Governors
Association.
After one year in office, Governor Bentley still does not accept a salary - and still
works to put Alabamians back to work. And it seems to be working.
For the month of November, Alabama's has the second largest decline in unemployment
in the United States. At 8-point-7 percent, Alabama's unemployment rate dropped for
the third month in a row.
And even more new jobs are coming to Alabama.
During his first year in office, Governor Bentley’s administration participated
in 128 jobs announcements across the state bringing at total of 10,960 future jobs for
Alabamians.