Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) named former lobbyist and Yellowhammer News owner Tim Howe chief of staff, replacing recently departed chief of staff Derek Trotter on Wednesday.
The move comes a week after a new ownership group acquired Yellowhammer News.
According to reports, Howe is expected to begin his new role on August 28.
Howe, a Clemson University and Cumberland Law School graduate, recently worked for Montgomery investment banking company Stifel. He was one of the founding members of the lobbying firm Swatek, Howe & Ross and governmental affairs firm The Howe Group.
Howe also previously served as the director of the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP).
Howe testified in the trial of former House Speaker Mike Hubbard, the former ALGOP chairman. Howe said ALGOP routed money through one of his companies. In turn, the company wrote checks to a company owned by Hubbard in exchange for a 5% cut.
Hubbard was later convicted of 12 felony ethics violations after he was found guilty of using his public position for profit.
Howe was listed as an owner and editor of Yellowhammer News in 2018.
However, last week, Yellowhammer Multimedia announced it had been acquired by public affairs consultant Paul Shashy and businessman Thomas Harris. This purchase included Yellowhammer News, the YHN Radio Network, 256 Today News and Soul Grown.
Shashy served as U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Auburn) campaign manager in 2019 and 2020 and U.S. Sen. Katie Britt’s (R-Montgomery) campaign manager in 2021 and 2022.
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