Chris Blankenship to lead Coastal Alabama Partnership

Chris Blankenship, the former commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), has been appointed as the executive director of the Mobile-based nonprofit Coastal Alabama Partnership (CAP). He will also lead its partner organization, Coastal 150, starting October 19.

Blankenship served as ADCNR commissioner from 2017 until his retirement at the end of September. During his 30-year career with the department, he rose from a conservation enforcement officer to leading an agency with over 1,250 employees and a $470 million annual budget. The department is responsible for overseeing Alabama’s fisheries, wildlife, state parks, coastal lands, and Deepwater Horizon oil spill restoration programs.

Sted McCollough, chairman of the CAP board, praised Blankenship’s leadership and integrity, stating he is uniquely qualified to lead the organization into its next chapter. Following his retirement, Ben Stimpson Jr. was named interim director of the ADCNR.