Mark Jackson as JASA President

Mark is a native of the Bluff Park Community in Birmingham. 

Traveling as a child and as an adult has given him a true global view. He has visited 34 countries. As a successful entrepreneur, he founded a teleconference company in 1996 that grew to operate in 65 countries. Having owned a teleconference service for 27 years, he is currently launching a new global videoconferencing company, BlueDot. The company is entering its capital-raise stage. 

Due to his considerable respect throughout Alabama and around the world, the Japanese government appointed him as Honorary Consul General of Japan in 2014. In this capacity, he has enjoyed a close working relationship with Alabama’s governors, Commerce secretaries, and elected officials across the state. During his tenure, Japan has become one of Alabama’s largest foreign direct investors. Over 80 Japanese companies have located in Alabama and employ almost 10,000 Alabamians. He has fostered governmental, cultural, business, and educational partnerships between Japan and Alabama. He is currently assisting on a project to connect Samford University with several universities in Japan. 

As Chairman of Birmingham Sister Cities Commission, he worked with Mayor William Bell to connect Birmingham to 18 million people worldwide. He also created the 200th Sister City between Japan and the United States. The official document was signed at the Birmingham Japanese Garden on July 3, 2017. 

He attended Jacksonville State University, Auburn University in Montgomery and received a Doctorate in Politics and International Relations from the University of Hertfordshire (England). He has received Honorary Doctorates from Talladega College and Piedmont International University and holds several diplomas from the Consular Corps College in Washington, DC.

A 14th generation direct descendant of England’s King Henry VIII, he is married to Dr. Allison Jackson. They have 2 sons, Carey and Jordan, and enjoys camping and traveling.



 Mike Swinson as Interim Executive Director

Mike Swinson spent 35 years in various senior leadership positions in the energy delivery business with Alagasco/Spire, including nearly a decade in economic development that contributed toward increasing the economic health and vitality of Alabama and its communities. 

During this time, he served on various boards and executive committees with JASA, Alabama Communities of Excellence, Alabama Productivity Center, Auburn University Government and Economic Development Institute, Birmingham Jefferson County Port Authority, Economic Development Association of Alabama, the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs committee; and had membership engagement with Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association, Auburn University Engineering Council, Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, and Manufacture Alabama.

He graduated from Auburn University with a mechanical engineering degree, and from Samford University with an MBA. Additionally, he received grant writing certification from the University of Georgia – Athens, is a Master Economic Development Professional, and a registered professional engineer.

He defines who he is through his leadership vision statement – “be the architect of a legacy community of caring and cooperative people capable of high performance in any business environment.”



 Rio Nunley as Assistant Director

Rio Nunley joined the Japan-America Society of Alabama in February 2022. Originally from Kanagawa, Japan, she relocated to Alabama in June 2020, embracing new opportunities and experiences. With a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Nihon University, her academic journey included an exchange program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and volunteer projects in Cambodia, where she contributed to community educational initiatives.



Prior to her move to the United States, she served as a project manager in a renewable energy company based in Tokyo, where she honed her leadership skills while overseeing the entire life cycle of numerous solar plant projects across Japan. Now, she channels her diverse experiences and global perspective into fostering cultural exchange and understanding in her current role.