Alfa Insurance President and CEO Jimmy Parnell tapped veteran insurance leader Alvin (Al) H. Dees as executive vice president of Marketing for Alfa. Dees, who began his new duties Feb. 1, previously held Alfa’s top marketing position from 1992 to 2000. He later served as national sales and marketing manager for MetLife Auto and Home Insurance.

Parnell said he is pleased to have Dees back on the Alfa team as the company works to grow its business and serve policyholders.

“Al is a proven leader with the ability to motivate our sales force and grow our customer base,” Parnell said. “He has tremendous experience in the insurance industry and understands the history, structure and mission of the Alfa companies. I look forward to working with Al as we focus on the qualities that made our company great.”

A 44-year veteran of the insurance industry, Dees began his career with Florida Farm Bureau Insurance as a claims adjuster. He later worked for American Educators Life Insurance Co. and Horace Mann Insurance Companies before joining Alfa in 1984 as a regional sales manager. A native of Evergreen, Dees graduated from Troy University with a degree in marketing and business administration.

Dees said he is excited about working with Alfa’s sales team in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

“I am humbled to have another opportunity to work with Alfa’s agents, employees and policyholders,” Dees said. “Alfa has a heritage of providing personal service at great rates through hometown agents who truly care about their policyholders. It is an honor to be able to lead an outstanding marketing team as we build on this legacy of service.”

With a goal of building Alfa’s business, Dees said he wants to focus on Alfa’s reputation for providing excellent service.

Dees said he likes the simple and powerful statement made by Parnell who has asked Alfa employees to “find ways to say ‘yes’ to our customers.”

“It really doesn’t cost much money to change people’s attitudes, but it can make so much difference in the success of our company,” Dees said. “We’re hoping everyone in the organization catches on to it and embraces the idea.”

The campaign is about providing better service to Alfa’s customers, Dees said.

“We want to focus on what we need to do to serve our customers, attract new customers and build relationships,” he said. “We’re committed to the personal service provided by Alfa agents and CSRs in our service centers. The thing that differentiates Alfa from other companies is we have agents and CSRs who are embedded in their communities. They are part of the community, and that’s important for us to be able to relate, attract and evaluate customers.”

Dees and wife Deborah have two children and two grandsons. They attend First United Methodist Church of Montgomery.