After years of watching his father, known as “Big Jim,” thrive in the Alabama political scene, Jim Folsom Jr. began his own career in politics in1978 serving on the Alabama Public Service Commission. He quickly began making a difference in this position, and not long after became Lieutenant Governor. This is just the beginning of the story told in a new documentary produced by Longleaf Studios at Jacksonville State University and premiering Thursday, March 27 at 8:00pm on Alabama Public Television.

 A Legacy of Progress - The Jim Folsom Jr. Story is an inspiring recollection of Jim Folsom Jr.’s perseverance, his unique and notable personality, and his impact on the state of Alabama. During his time in the political sphere, he served two terms on the Public Service Commission, was elected Lieutenant Governor twice, and served as Alabama governor from 1993 to 1995. On day one of the job, Folsom hit the ground running with two major items of priority: selling the state plane (“improper” use of which had resulted in predecessor Guy Hunt’s removal as governor), and permanently removing the Confederate flag from the State Capital. In addition to making these decisions, Folsom Jr. curated what was at the time the most diverse cabinet in the history of Alabama, and played a vital role in ensuring Alabama secured the site for the newest Mercedes-Benz factory in the United States.

A Legacy of Progress features interviews with Folsom and wife Marsha, former Alabama Finance Director James C. White Sr., Folsom’s chief of staff Charlie Waldrep, political journalist and commentator Steve Flowers, who was Alabama House Floor Leader and co-sponsor of the Mercedes incentive package.

The Jim Folsom documentary is one of two productions from Longleaf Studios planned for broadcast on Alabama Public Television this year. The second, McClellan: A Life Saved, explores the long history of Fort McClellan, the strong bond many veterans feel for the facility, and how the former military installation has become the site for new uses.

“The partnership with JSU and Longleaf Studios has been tremendous,” says APT Executive Director Wayne Reid. “We are so pleased with the many documentaries they have created over the past several years. It’s given students at JSU the opportunity to work with talented professionals and resulted in great stories about Alabama that our viewers have loved.”

A Legacy of Progress will be available to stream on Alabama Public Television’s website and on the free PBS app at the time of broadcast.