Spotlight on Chairman David Stokes

David Stokes was born in Tuscaloosa, AL on May 4^th, 1957. His father, William Roy Stokes, was in law school at the time. Stokes' father is a native of Brewton. Bobbie McIntyre Stokes, Stokes' mother, is a native of Conecuh County. David's brother, William Roy Stokes, Jr.  is an attorney practicing law in Brewton and is married with two children. Stokes' sister, Anne Stokes Haas is a housewife living in Mobile and is married with two children.

I got married November 7, 1981 to Deborah Kahn Stokes. We have three children: David Michael Stokes, Jr. 23, working as a certified personal trainer in Tuscaloosa trying to get into medical school; Elizabeth Anne Stokes, 19, sophomore at the University of Alabama in the College of Commerce and Business Administration; and Robert McIntyre Stokes, 15, sophomore at T.R. Miller High School.

My wife, Debbie, teaches 4th graders at Brewton Elementary. She has been teaching since 1991. Prior to that, she worked at JDCC starting in 1981.

My parents moved to Brewton when my father finished law school in December of 1957. In May 1975, after graduating from T.R. Miller High School, I entered the University of Alabama. I graduated from the College of Commerce and Business Administration in May of 1980. On June 1, 1980, I went to work at Brewton Insurance and Real Estate Agency, Inc. By 1987, I was a full partner with Joe Sowell at Brewton Insurance and Real Estate Agency, Inc. In November 1988, we bought Crosby Insurance Agency. I am currently a full partner at Brewton Insurance and Real Estate Agency, Inc. with 1/3 ownership. This June will be 31 years I have been here.

My political life began shortly after I came back to Brewton in June 1980. I first ran for the office of County Commissioner in September 1984. There were seven candidates, counting myself, and I was in the run-off with one other candidate and lost. I ran again for County Commissioner in June 1990 and took office January 8, 1991. I have been serving as Commissioner for District One every since that time.

I have a tendency to stick with things I begin with. The only job I have had upon graduating college is here at Brewton Insurance and Real Estate Agency, Inc.  

The Escambia County Commission meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 9 am in the Commission Chambers on the 2nd floor of the Escambia County Courthouse at 314 Belleville Avenue in Brewton. Current Commissioners include:

David Stokes, District 1

Raymond Wiggins, District 2

Larry White, District 3

Brandon Smith, District 4

David Quarker, District 5

For more information on the County Commission, call (251)867-0300 or visit: http://www.co.escambia.al.us/commission.html

Economic development experts from other areas have stated to me that Coastal Gateway's regional economic development approach is unique, especially in Alabama. The Coastal Gateway Board of Directors is comprised of investors of the public and private sectors, working cohesively together for the region's existing businesses and to attract industry. It is a pleasure working with elected officials and business owners from the 5 county region.

Through regional economic development, rural communities can be fully engaged in the growing economies of their regions. By implementing regionalism, differentiating communities by their unique assets and discovering innovative ways of growing economies - rural areas can prosper in an ever-changing world.

It is difficult for a rural individual community or county to effectively mount the type of marketing campaign or attend appropriate trade shows. Communities often have limited budgets, time and in some cases limited expertise.  All city and county budgets are limited.  However, if communities get together collectively and identify types of industry i.e. entrepreneurs, distribution centers, advanced manufacturing and look at the requirements of these companies and work together they are able to do more with their budgets.

There is also stronger political clout with five counties. Furthermore, a larger region has more marketable assets (more speculative buildings, more industrial parks, more available existing buildings, more navigable waterways, rail, highways, interstate, etc.) These assets attract the attention of site selection consultants at greater level.

Coastal Gateway's rural communities are not just competing with Alabama, but with the world. When you market five large counties together you are able to compete globally instead of two or three counties competing state and nationwide. For example, if Escambia County or another single county is competing globally you may have only one spec building or one industrial park and you are trying to reach a consultant or industry based on what you have.  Coastal Gateway has a larger inventory to market.  Equate this to a real estate agent who only has two homes to show the consumer vs. a realtor who has 50. Furthermore, a lot of initial cuts or findings in site selection are now made based on Internet findings. A region's prime marketing piece should be their website.  Coastal Gateway as a region is able to market more properties and draw more attention to individual communities.

The Coastal Gateway Region currently markets 5 counties (Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe); 25 cities; 36 industrial sites; a total of 8,864.4 industrial site acres; 31 industrial buildings; 2,166,820 sq. ft available in industrial buildings - many of which are expandable; and 275.5 available acres available surrounding industrial buildings; and 5 available speculative buildings.  The Coastal Gateway Region makes up a total of 5,015 square miles.

I would like to recognize Shep Marsh, President & CEO of First National Bank and Trust, as Coastal Gateway's newest board member. 

Coastal Gateway has had a tremendous response to our posting for the Executive Director position.  In total thus far, we have received almost 50 resumes.  All board members have been invited to participate in the search for the Executive Director and we hope to share some exciting news with you soon.

Evergreen, AL/ Conecuh County has undergone several expansions recently, creating additional jobs for the region. The companies below represent some of the most recent expansion announcements in Conecuh County. Daryl Harper, Executive Director of the Conecuh County Economic Development Office said, "In these difficult times, any business expansions are good for the local economy".

Evergreen Transport, LLC

Evergreen Transport, LLC. has recently added 10-12 jobs bringing them to a total of 35 employees.

On January 14, 2010, an asset purchase was made by Walter Poole, David Wildberger, and 4 other investors. A new entity was created under the name of Evergreen Transport, LLC. The asset purchase allowed the purchase of certain Evergreen Transportation, Inc. terminals, rolling stock, and inventory. And most importantly, it salvaged the jobs for most of the Evergreen Transportation employees.

Evergreen Transport, LLC. is a  diversified truckload carrier that operates in the southeastern United States.  For more information please visit: http://www.evergreentrans.com/ 

Guyoung Tech USA

Guyoung Tech USA completed a 50,000 sq. ft addition and added 100 jobs this summer. The South Korean-based company is now the largest employer in Conecuh County with almost 300 employees.

Guyoung Tech USA is a tier one Hyundai supplier in Conecuh County that produces metal stampings and also house welding operations and an e-coating facility.

Guyoung Tech, was founded in 1986, by Hee Hwa Lee. In 2002, Guyoung Tech, USA was established and a sales and engineering office was opened in Detroit, Michigan. The Conecuh County plant was announced in 2005 with an initial capital investment of $10 million. Guyoung Tech USA is also a tier one supplier of Daimler Chrysler and tier two supplier of General Motors and the Ford Motor Company.

Tenax Corporation

Tenax Corporation has a new line coming in that will produce geogrids for civil engineering applications. The new extrusion line will create a $2 million expansion and an additional 20 jobs for the Evergreen, AL facility. Following the expansion, the company will employ around 75 people.

Tenax Corporation manufactures and distributes a variety of products for the civil, environmental, commercial and industrial markets. Tenax is a worldwide company with U.S. headquarters based in Baltimore, MD, and manufacturing facilities in Baltimore, MD, Evergreen, AL, and Modesto, CA.

Tenax is well known for the orange construction fence, but also offers a variety of product categories such as safety fence, snow fence, erosion control, debris containment, deer barriers, and various other nets for an array of applications.

Tenax offers products for many market segments, including agriculture, retail, construction, OEM, civil and environmental engineering, and drainage.  For more information, visit: http://www.tenaxus.com/index.html

Expect to hear more exciting news from Conecuh County soon!

 

The new Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliace Facebook Page is up and running as another opportunity to help you keep in touch with us. Here you can view photos, happenings of our department throughout the year and regional events as they relate to economic development. We will also use Facebook as an additional way to drive people to our website.

There are forty-three members on our new page so far.  We encourage you to join in and help spread the news about the Facebook Page.  If you would like us to post specific information or include pictures from your region please contact info@cgeda.net.

To visit or join the page click the logo above.