Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has announced his first appointments to a major city board of directors.

Woodfin is appointing Shipt founder Bill Smith, ex-Alabama Power executive Bobbie Knight, Regions executive David Germany and small-business owner Darlene Wilson to the Birmingham Airport Authority board of directors.

The Birmingham City Council approved the appointments and gave the mayor kudos for his picks at its regular meeting on July 31.

"The Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is a vital part of the region's economic competitiveness," Woodfin said. "We spent an extensive amount of time considering the type of leadership we truly need for this responsibility. I am so very excited to see such incredibly accomplished professionals offer themselves for public service."

The four new members will replace board chairman Michael Bell, John McMahon, Aaisha Muhammad and Ruffner Page. Their terms expire at the end of the month.

"These appointments are an incredibly diverse and talented group of individuals, who all carry a great passion for Birmingham," Woodfin said. "We are very thankful to the departing board members and are appreciative of their service."

Bobbie Knight

Airport authority board of directors are appointed for six year terms. The board has seven members all appointed by the mayor.

The board's duties are: to acquire, expand, improve, maintain, operate and lease airport and related facilities.

The new board's first major task will be to complete the search for a new chief executive officer. The search started after long-time CEO Al Denson retired in late January, but it has failed to produce a new CEO.

Board members haven't released what has called the delay.

The current board scheduled a special-called meeting at 9 a.m. on Saturday to appoint an interim CEO.

Woodfin's appointees are well-known in Birmingham.

Knight formerly served as vice president of Birmingham division at Alabama Power. She was the co-chair of Woodfin's transition team.

Knight has served in many leadership roles during her long career including vice president of public relations and general manager of supply chain. Knight has served on the board of trustees for Miles College. She has also served on the boards of Red Mountain Theatre Company, REV Birmingham, the United Way of Central Alabama and VOICES for Alabama Children.

Germany is a senior vice president at Regions Bank. Since 2007, he has

David Germany

negotiated and structured commercial banking deals totaling more than $2 billion throughout the state. Germany serves on the A.G. Gaston Girls and Boys Club Capital Campaign Committee, the Birmingham Business Alliance Board of Directors and the University of Alabama Community Affairs Board of Directors among others.

Smith founded Shipt, a member-based grocery delivery service, in Birmingham in 2014 to simplify the grocery shopping experience. Shipt was acquired by Target in 2017. The company recently announced its headquarters will remain in Birmingham. Smith is also a licensed pilot.

Wilson is managing principal of Relay Accounting Management. Wilson is currently the board chair for REV Birmingham, supporting startup and small business education. She was recently chosen as a mentor for Bizwomen Mentoring Monday and was recognized among the Birmingham

Darlene Wilson

Business Journal's Women to Watch in 2017.

Article updated on July 31 to indicate the appointments were approved by the Birmingham City Council.