MONTGOMERY – Gov. Kay Ivey has appointed Rep. Cynthia Lee Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, as president of the Alabama Public Service Commission, filling the vacancy left by Twinkle Cavanaugh, who recently joined the Trump Administration as the state director for rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Cynthia has proven to be an extremely effective public servant and leader, and I am confident the people of Alabama will be even better served when she takes the helm at the Public Service Commission,” Ivey said in a written statement.
As president, Almond will oversee the three-member commission that regulates Alabama’s utilities.
“I am honored to have been asked by Gov. Ivey to fill this important position. It is one I accept with great enthusiasm,” Almond said.
“I know how important this commission is to the people of Alabama and to the industry sectors it regulates. I believe my training as an attorney and legislator will prove to be helpful in performing this role. I appreciate greatly the confidence shown in me by Gov. Ivey, and I will work hard for her and for this great state of Alabama.”
Almond, a practicing attorney and small business owner, has represented House District 63 since 2021. She brings legal experience in estate planning, probate, business law and real estate, and she owns a title company.
In the Legislature, Almond served on several key committees, including Ways and Means Education, Judiciary and Rules, and was vice-chair of the Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee. She also chaired the Tuscaloosa County Local Legislative Delegation.
She partnered with Ivey on major legislative priorities such as the Safe Alabama public safety package, creation of the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences, and the Game Plan economic development package.
A graduate of the University of Alabama and its School of Law, Almond also attended Vanderbilt. She previously served four terms on the Tuscaloosa City Council, is a graduate of Leadership Alabama and was co-chair for its West Alabama Regional Council.
Almond will resign from the Legislature on June 15. Her appointment becomes official June 16, when Ivey will swear her in as president.