Tom Cosby

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Tom Cosby graduated with a BA from the University of Alabama and a MA from UAB. He served two years overseas with the US Navy and came home to begin his career with the United Way of Central Alabama. Later, he moved to the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (now BBA) where he worked for 35 years, primarily in development, but also in Governmental Affairs. He was a founding member of the Friends of Rickwood Field (America’s Oldest Ballpark), a founding board member of City Stages, played key roles in saving Vulcan as well as the funding of Corridor X/I-22 and the recruitment of nonstop flights to BHM. As far back as 1985, he has been involved in chasing the dream of bringing the Appalachian Trail to Alabama. 

Since retiring from the Chamber, he’s raised money for numerous projects, including leading the $11.8 million fundraising campaign to save the Lyric Theatre -- and is currently tasked with raising $5 million for an endowment fund for Birmingham Landmarks, Inc. (the 501c3 that owns and operates the Alabama and Lyric Theatres.) He has played an important role in raising money for Birmingham’s Veteran’s Day Parade (the oldest in the nation) and helped with the effort to save UAB football. He is active in his neighborhood, currently serving on the executive committees of both the Forest Park/South Avondale Neighborhood Association and the Friends of Avondale Park. He attends Independent Presbyterian Church and has been happily married to Gail Thrasher Cosby for 45 years with their chief interest being hiking trails all around the globe. He has four godchildren, six nieces and one nephew -- and claims to be able to out-hike them all.