Associated Press
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — State Rep. Greg Canfield of Vestavia Hills was named Wednesday by Gov. Robert Bentley as the new director of the Alabama Development Office.
Canfield, 50, will replace Seth Hammett, former speaker of the House of Representatives, who agreed to temporarily serve in the Cabinet post for the first several months of the Bentley administration.
The governor said he picked Canfield for the state's top economic development job because he is a leader and can really sell the state as it attempts to create jobs.
"He presents himself well. He's intelligent," Bentley said. "He will represent the state of Alabama well."
The governor announced Canfield's appointment at the Capitol. Canfield, a Republican, will resign his House seat and take over the development office by Aug. 1. Bentley will call a special election to fill the seat. No date has been set.
Bentley said he witnessed Canfield's people skills up close during their five years together in the House.
"Recruiting industry is still a people business," Bentley said.
Canfield said he is excited to pitch Alabama as the place to locate a business or industry and create much-needed jobs. He also pledged to serve as a bridge between the private industry and local economic development officials on projects.
"This is Alabama," he said. "Let's do business."
House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, praised the pick of Canfield.
"I hate to lose him from the leadership in the House of Representatives, but I know he will be an invaluable asset to our state serving as ADO director," Hubbard said in a statement. "It is essential that the Legislature be able to work closely with our state's economic development professionals, and with Greg at the helm, I know that will be possible."
Canfield served two terms on the Vestavia City Council, including a stint as president. In 2006, he was elected to the Legislature, where he chairs the commerce and small business committee. He is married and has two children.
He started his career in sales for a Fortune 500 company, working his way up to a regional management position. He currently works for J.H. Berry Insurance in Birmingham, a position he said he will have to "step away from."
Canfield will earn the $162,232 a year as director of the development office, according to Bentley press secretary Jennifer Ardis, who said the salary is set by law.
Bentley and Canfield praised the work of Hammett, who volunteered to serve as head of the development office for the first few months of the administration. Bentley said the transition went smoothly thanks to the former speaker's steady hand.
"He made it very easy for me. He had made it easy for the department," Bentley said.
Hammett said he was happy to help out. After 33 years of public service, he said he is looking forward to returning to the private sector with PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, headquartered in Andalusia.
Canfield, 50, will replace Seth Hammett, former speaker of the House of Representatives, who agreed to temporarily serve in the Cabinet post for the first several months of the Bentley administration.
The governor said he picked Canfield for the state's top economic development job because he is a leader and can really sell the state as it attempts to create jobs.
"He presents himself well. He's intelligent," Bentley said. "He will represent the state of Alabama well."
The governor announced Canfield's appointment at the Capitol. Canfield, a Republican, will resign his House seat and take over the development office by Aug. 1. Bentley will call a special election to fill the seat. No date has been set.
Bentley said he witnessed Canfield's people skills up close during their five years together in the House.
"Recruiting industry is still a people business," Bentley said.
Canfield said he is excited to pitch Alabama as the place to locate a business or industry and create much-needed jobs. He also pledged to serve as a bridge between the private industry and local economic development officials on projects.
"This is Alabama," he said. "Let's do business."
House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, praised the pick of Canfield.
"I hate to lose him from the leadership in the House of Representatives, but I know he will be an invaluable asset to our state serving as ADO director," Hubbard said in a statement. "It is essential that the Legislature be able to work closely with our state's economic development professionals, and with Greg at the helm, I know that will be possible."
Canfield served two terms on the Vestavia City Council, including a stint as president. In 2006, he was elected to the Legislature, where he chairs the commerce and small business committee. He is married and has two children.
He started his career in sales for a Fortune 500 company, working his way up to a regional management position. He currently works for J.H. Berry Insurance in Birmingham, a position he said he will have to "step away from."
Canfield will earn the $162,232 a year as director of the development office, according to Bentley press secretary Jennifer Ardis, who said the salary is set by law.
Bentley and Canfield praised the work of Hammett, who volunteered to serve as head of the development office for the first few months of the administration. Bentley said the transition went smoothly thanks to the former speaker's steady hand.
"He made it very easy for me. He had made it easy for the department," Bentley said.
Hammett said he was happy to help out. After 33 years of public service, he said he is looking forward to returning to the private sector with PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, headquartered in Andalusia.
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