TUSCALOOSA, AL — Four longtime community leaders will be inducted into the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame next month in recognition of their contributions to the community.
Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.
The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama announced on Tuesday that James "Jim" Brooks, Carl T. Jamison, Julie Pogue Sittason and the late Victor Hugo Friedman will be inducted as members of the 2026 class.
Established during the Chamber's 100th anniversary in 2000, the Civic Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant, long-term contributions to the development and quality of life of Tuscaloosa County. This year's honorees were selected by a committee following nominations from organizations, businesses and residents.
Brooks, a Tuscaloosa native, has worked for Phifer Incorporated since 1972 and currently serves as senior executive vice president. His community service has included leadership roles with The University of Alabama, Druid City Regional Medical Center Foundation, the State of Alabama Workforce Development Board and Junior Achievement of Tuscaloosa County.
He currently serves on the UA President's Cabinet and as co-chair of The Rising Tide Capital Campaign. Brooks and his wife, Karen, have also been longtime supporters of United Way of West Alabama.
Jamison, another lifelong Tuscaloosa resident, graduated from UA in 1981 and spent more than four decades in accounting. He is a former shareholder of JamisonMoneyFarmer PC and continues to serve clients at the firm founded by his grandfather in 1920.
His civic work includes serving as past chairman of the Chamber and vice chairman of the DCH Healthcare Authority Board. He is also a past chairman of the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority, a past president of the DCH Foundation and a founding officer of the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center.
Sittason spent much of her career expanding access to health care and services for vulnerable populations in West Alabama.
She served as executive director of Hospice of West Alabama from 1986 to 2007, helping the organization become Alabama's first community-based hospice to earn Joint Commission accreditation and leading development of the state's first community-based inpatient hospice facility.
Sittason later served as executive director of the Good Samaritan Clinic, where she worked to expand free medical, dental and nutritional services for underserved residents. She remains involved with Connect, Where Love Never Forgets, as a founding board member, grant writer and volunteer.
Friedman, who died in 1965, will be inducted posthumously.
Born in Tuscaloosa in 1878, Friedman attended UA from 1894 to 1897 before entering the cotton business and establishing the Friedman-Hansard Cotton Company.
During World War I, he served in Italy as an officer with the Red Cross and was later credited with founding the organization's Tuscaloosa chapter.
Known as "Mr. Hugo," Friedman provided financial assistance to hundreds of UA students and supported the university's athletic programs. Friedman Hall, an early athletic dormitory, was named in his honor.
Friedman also helped establish the Commerce Club, which later became the Tuscaloosa Chamber of Commerce and eventually the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama. He was also a founding charter member of the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa.
The honorees will be inducted during a ceremony on Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Tuscaloosa River Market.
Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Tuscaloosa Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.