The longtime president and CEO of the Coastal Alabama Partnership resigned from his post on Monday to head up Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson’s campaign for mayor.

Wiley Blankenship, who headed up the advocacy group for the past 12 years, said Hudson is the only candidate in the race with the experience to deliver progress “on day one.” He is joining the Hudson campaign as its campaign manager.

“Her record speaks for itself, but as a resident raising a family in the city, I greatly appreciate her commitment to improving our quality of life,” Blankenship said in a statement.

Blankenship, who founded CAP, headed up an organization that focuses on several key initiatives such as policy and strategic regional planning, insurance, tourism and brand promotion, local seafood promotion, and infrastructure.

Also joining the Hudson campaign are Aqualyn Kennedy as the communications director and Raoul Richardson as community outreach director.

Kennedy has over 20 years of experience in marketing and brand management, including a tenure at Procter & Gamble and the American Heart Association. She is also the co-founder of Kennedy Strategic Communications where she advised clients across industries on brand strategy, crisis management and public relations.

Richardson’s background includes community service with dozens of area organizations. He has been the president Mobile United, the Mobile Area Interfaith Conference, the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission, the Gulf Coast Health Policy Coalition, and the University of South Alabama.

“Wiley has been a trusted leader who I know will do a great job of keeping our campaign focused on delivering the momentum Mobile deserves,” Hudson said in a statement. “Both Aqualyn and Dr. Richardson bring high-level expertise to the campaign team, and they will ensure that we maintain a strong message of experience and trust across Mobile.”

She added, “Over the last decade, I have worked hard as a county commissioner to create strong partnerships and this team represents the exact kind of leadership I intend to lean on as we take Mobile to the next level.”

The Mobile mayoral election is Aug. 26. The other candidates who have filed to run with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office include former Mobile County District Judge Spiro Cheriogotis, former Mobile police chief Lawrence Battiste, state Rep. Barbara Drummond, and former Mobile City Councilman Jermaine Burrell.