Christopher Burks, currently a visiting political science professor at Samford University and founder of local public policy consulting firm Urban Analysis, was recently appointed to the Birmingham Planning Commission.

“Proud to report the City Council has appointed me to the Birmingham Planning Commission,” Burks announced on his LinkedIn Aug. 24. “I look forward to serving our city!”

Although he formerly served as vice president of the Five Points South neighborhood association, Burks resigned from the position in accordance with city policy.

“If an officer is elected or appointed to a local, state, or federal office, he/she must give up his/her position as a neighborhood officer,” the policy reads.

This will not be Burks’ first time working with the city. Around 2017, while completing his master’s in public administration at UAB, he was hired as a public policy consultant under City Councilor Darrell O’ Quinn.