Frankie Stiefel to Lead Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief
The state board has appointed Frankie Stiefel as the new disaster relief strategist beginning in early 2027.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People
The Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions has named Frankie Stiefel as its next disaster relief strategist. Stiefel will officially step into the role on Jan. 1, 2027.
Why it matters
The board selected Stiefel for his extensive background in disaster response and his expertise in maintaining specialized equipment. He succeeds Mark Wakefield, who is set to retire from the position early next year.
Frankie Stiefel is the 4th individual to hold the state strategist role. He joins the position following his 25th anniversary with the Tennessee Valley Authority in 2026.
The players
Frankie Stiefel
He is the incoming disaster relief strategist for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and a veteran of the Sand Mountain Baptist Association.
Mark Wakefield
He is the outgoing disaster relief strategist for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions who will retire in 2027.
Scotty Goldman
He is a representative of the Missions Mobilization Team who oversaw the selection process for the strategist role.
Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions
This is the state-level organization responsible for coordinating disaster relief efforts and mission work across Alabama.
The details
Stiefel currently serves as the director of the Sand Mountain Baptist Association disaster relief, a role he has held since 2005. The transition process involves an overlap period with the outgoing strategist to ensure continuity of operations.
Timeline
Frankie Stiefel began his tenure with the Sand Mountain Baptist Association in 2005.
Stiefel turned 55 and marked 25 years at the Tennessee Valley Authority in 2026.
Stiefel officially begins his new strategist role on Jan. 1, 2027.
Mark Wakefield is scheduled to retire from the position on Feb. 28, 2027.
Stiefel plans to undergo specialized feeding unit training in the spring of 2027.
Market Landscape
Stiefel's transition highlights the ongoing leadership evolution within statewide non-profit organizations as they recruit experienced professionals from industrial sectors. This move positions the board to leverage industrial maintenance expertise within their disaster relief infrastructure.
Residents across the state should expect no disruption to disaster relief services during this planned leadership transition period. The overlap between the incoming and outgoing strategists is designed to maintain the stability of emergency responses.
The takeaway
This leadership change underscores the importance of operational experience in coordinating large-scale humanitarian logistics. Future disaster response efficacy in the state will depend on the successful transfer of technical knowledge from outgoing to incoming personnel.
What happens next
Frankie Stiefel begins his tenure on Jan. 1, 2027, followed by the retirement of Mark Wakefield on Feb. 28, 2027. Stiefel also plans to undergo training for the disaster relief feeding unit in the spring of 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about leadership transitions across the state in the Alabama People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Alabama Baptist.
