Former Foley mayor begins job as state revenue commissioner

As Alabama’s new revenue commissioner digressed into the dismal 1971 circumstances that he believes shaped his destiny, his emotions stifled his words.

“I can’t. Let’s move on,” said Tim Russell, pausing for a moment during an interview on Friday.

Russell, 59, former mayor of Foley, will step into the full-time role of state revenue commissioner Monday. On Feb. 22, Gov. Bob Riley announced that Russell would replace Tom Surtees, who left in September to direct the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations.

Former Foley mayor begins job as state revenue commissioner