Jim Searcy retires as head of Economic Development Association of Alabama

Economic development is no laughing matter, but don’t tell Jim Searcy that.

On Thursday, July 31, Searcy retired after more than three decades working in economic development, the last 13 as executive director of the Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA).

“With more than 30 years in economic development, Jim has played a major role in landing many of our state’s major manufacturing victories,” said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. “His departure leaves a void that will be hard to fill.”

Under his tenure, the organization of economic development professionals has hit an all-time high in membership and the annual EDAA summer conference, which just ended, had record attendance.

“There’s something to be said for stepping aside when things are at their peak,” Searcy said. “You don’t want to overstay your welcome.”

And while Searcy’s track record shows he has the acumen to be a stellar economic developer, what most people say first about him is, “He is so funny!”

His wit and sense of humor is always present in private conversations and meetings, and it comes alive when he takes the stage for introductions, announcements or moderating panels at conferences.

In an industry that is relationship-based, it should come as no surprise that someone as personable and able to connect with others would have success.

“Jim Searcy has been an invaluable resource for EDAA and the larger economic development community,” said Miller Girvin, president of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama (EDPA). “His diligence, his humor, his dedication to our community, our work, our state is unparalleled, and I wish him the absolute best in retirement and the next steps. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Jim!”

Searcy said he plans to remain a member of EDAA and attend conferences. “Just let the chicken taste dry …,” he jokingly threatened.

Prior to EDAA, Searcy worked in economic development with the Alabama Development Office (now the Alabama Department of Commerce), the Birmingham Metropolitan Development Board (now the Birmingham Business Alliance) and the former Coastal Gateway Regional Economic Development Alliance.

“The one thing that’s consistent about me is when I leave an organization, they tend to feel like they need to change their name or disappear – kind of like the witness protection program,” Searcy said. “I feel like with EDAA I may break that trend. EDAA is here for an awful long time.”

The search now begins for Searcy’s replacement. Starting today, Greg Barker, former EDPA president, will fill in as interim director until a new executive director is found.

“What a legacy Jim has left in this state,” said Ellen McNair, Alabama Commerce secretary and a member of the committee who hired Searcy. “I’ve been so proud of the growth of EDAA and the incredible contributions he has made to this organization. We are very proud of his accomplishments and wish him the very, very best for the future.”

Searcy said he plans to take a three-month sabbatical (“’sabbatical’ sounds so much better than ‘I’m just not going to do anything,’” he said), then will probably remain involved in economic development through consulting.

“Economic development, once you get involved in it and once you’ve seen what can be accomplished, the lives that can be changed, the families that can be changed,” you want to stay involved, Searcy said.

EDAA equips and advocates for the profession of economic development while also using the strength of its membership to promote legislation to benefit economic development in the state.

“I think I’m most proud of what EDAA has become – and it was a strong organization when I came to work for it – but it has reached heights and the scope of its impact is far beyond what I even imagined when I took the job,” Searcy said. “I like to think I had something to do with it, but we’ve had a great cast of supporting characters and an active membership.”

Searcy noted Regina Pickron, the former executive assistant at EDAA, was “the straw that stirred the drink” at the organization before she passed away five years after Searcy took the helm. Searcy said EDAA was then fortunate to find “a unicorn” in Sheri Fowler, director of member services and administrative manager.

“Economic developers are a family, even though we compete with one another,” Searcy said. “We compete as strongly as we can. But at the end of the day, we recognize that whether (a project) goes into Huntsville, it goes into Mobile, it goes to Monroeville or it goes to Russellville, that’s good for the whole state.

“I’m excited about the potential, especially what EDAA and all of our allies have been able to accomplish.”