Great Southern Wood co-founder and CEO Jimmy Rane, who is also known as "Yella Fella" from his advertisements, along with Cathy Randall, former Director of the honors programs at the University of Alabama, will serve as co-chairs for her inaugural committee. Ivey has known Rane since they both attended Auburn University in the 1960's. Also, he was one of the biggest donors to her gubernatorial campaign. Randall is chairman of the board of Tuscaloosa-based Pettus Randall Holdings and is former chairman of Randall Publishing Company. Randall reportedly first met Ivey when the two were part of Alabama Girls State, where Randall serves as Director. Ivey defeated Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox in the mid term election.