Governor Bentley Announces Retirement of Senior Services Commissioner

MONTGOMERY— Governor Robert Bentley today announced that Department of Senior Services Commissioner Irene Collins will retire on October 30. Collins served as Commissioner for nine years.  Prior to working for the State of Alabama, she served as Executive Director at the Jefferson County Council on Aging for seven years. 

Under the leadership of Commissioner Collins, the Department of Senior Services recently received the 2011 National Hurricane Conference Alan Clive Service and Spirit Memorial Award. Commissioner Collins served as a member of the National Governors Association Policy Academy for Civic Engagement.  Under Commissioner Collins’ direction, Alabama has surpassed numerous goals set for the aging network, including the construction of 55 new senior centers and 20 safe centers across the state which led to ADSS receiving the Senior Citizens’ Preparedness Award at the 2009 National Hurricane Conference.  Commissioner Collins was elected by her peers to serve as President of the National Association of States United for Aging and Disability for the past two years

“Irene Collins has done a tremendous job advocating for seniors in Alabama, and her tireless dedication to their well-being, health and happiness will be sorely missed,” said Governor Bentley. “I thank her for her devoted service to the Department of Senior Services.”

“It has been an honor to serve with Governor Bentley and I commend his leadership during a trying time for our state as we experienced the April tornado disasters.  I have been very blessed to have had the opportunity to serve the great citizens in Alabama by ensuring that our seniors have the resources available to age with the dignity and grace that they deserve,” stated Collins.

 

Governor Bentley also announced today that Neal Morrison has been appointed to fill the vacancy created with Collins’ retirement.

 

“I am pleased to announce Neal Morrison as the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Senior Services. He is highly accomplished and has the right amount of experience and knowledge to lead this important state agency,” said Governor Bentley. “Neal is a strong advocate on senior issues and will be a tremendous asset to the Department of Senior Services.”

Neal Morrison currently serves as Executive Director of North Central Alabama Regional Council of Government in Decatur and has overseen all of the aging programs in Cullman, Lawrence and Morgan Counties.

 

Morrison received a B.S. in Business Administration from Athens State University and received his Juris Doctorate from the Birmingham School of Law. Morrison serves on numerous civic and community boards and organizations including the UAB Department of Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board,  Alabama Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, and American Council of Young Political Leaders.

"I am honored and humbled that Governor Bentley has asked me to be a part of his cabinet in the capacity as Commissioner of Senior Services," said Neal Morrison. "I look forward to serving in this role and continuing to promote services for the seniors of our great state."