Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance Names Jim Searcy as new Executive Director.
Searcy brings over 20 years of economic development experience to CGEDA.
COASTAL GATEWAY REGION, AL, Dec. 30, 2010 - CGEDA today announced that Jim Searcy has been named Executive Director of Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance (CGEDA).The Executive Director reports to the CGEDA Board of Directors and is responsible for implementing programs for new business attraction, business retention and expansion, and investor relations.
The director works closely with local economic developers, elected officials, chambers of commerce, and industrial boards across the five county region.
Dr. John Johnson, Vice-Chairman of CGEDA, stated that the Board is extremely pleased to bring Searcy on board. "Jim brings over 20 years of economic development experience to the Alliance. Members of the CGEDA Board of Directors are extremely pleased at being able to attract one of the state's top economic development officials," said Johnson.
Searcy currently serves as Vice President of Business and Industry Retention at the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA). Before the 2009 merger of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Birmingham Metropolitan Development Board into the BBA, Searcy served at the Metropolitan Development Board for 13 years as the Vice President of Marketing.
Prior the Metropolitan Development Board, Searcy worked for the Alabama Development Office (ADO) for seven years as a Senior Project Manager.
Searcy is a past board member at the Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA).
Searcy said "The Coastal Gateway Executive Director position was very appealing. This region has tremendous potential. An excellent workforce, dedicated education partners, and effective community leadership are important assets in the economic development process. This region is fortunate to have those and many other essential attributes. I intend for the CGEDA to be a catalyst in this process. The CGEDA Board is enthusiastic and I look forward to translating that enthusiasm into results".
When he starts work at the CGEDA in late-January, Searcy plans to initiate a strategic planning process, with the CGEDA Board and community stakeholders, to insure that assets of the Region are identified and the efforts of CGEDA are aligned with the objectives of the board and regional leadership.
Chairman David Stokes said, "Jim's excellent relationships with state agencies in Alabama, background in business retention and attraction, as well as marketing experience will strongly benefit our organization and communities."
Searcy wants to talk face-to-face with local leaders and businesses to get their opinions on the challenges and opportunities the community faces from an economic development standpoint. He understands that the strength of the region is in the unique characteristics that each county and community possesses.
He also wants to meet regularly with state project managers to promote the Coastal Gateway Region and continue efforts to raise the region's profile with the Alabama Development Office and other state agencies that have both a direct and indirect impact on economic development efforts.
Mr. Searcy has a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration from Auburn University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Auburn University Montgomery.
Searcy plans to relocate to the Coastal Gateway region in January 2011. His wife Lesley and son Sam will move to the region in the summer of 2011.
For additional information, contact:
Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance
(251) 248-2143
(251) 248-2676
info@cgeda.net
www.cgeda.net
Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance is a five county partnership with investors from the public and private sectors. CGEDA's primary mission is to market and promote the assets of Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Monroe and Escambia Counties. For more information, visit www.cgeda.net.
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