The Bay County Economic Development Alliance(EDA) has announced that Ted Clem, Executive Director of the EDA, has resigned after accepting a position as President/CEO of the Albany – Dougherty County Economic Development Commission in Albany, Georgia.
“I am very grateful to the EDA board and leadership for giving me the opportunity to serve them,” said Clem. “Together we have had a great deal of success and have watched Bay County transition from a seasonal economy to a year round economy. I love this community greatly, but I believe the time is right time to move on to new challenges and opportunities.”
Clem has served as Executive Director of the EDA since September, 1999, and was instrumental in helping recruit new companies to the area such as Sprint/Nextel and Oceaneering International.
In order to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership, Dr. Ed Wright, retired Dean of FSU-Panama City has agreed to serve as an interim director of the EDA and to lead the search for a new executive director. The EDA Board, investors, and volunteers have initiated a strategic planning process to determine future direction and priorities for the organization in these challenging economic times. Dr. Wright’s leadership through this process will be invaluable to the organization.
“We are appreciative of the job Ted has done for us over the years and will miss his leadership and expertise,” said Elizabeth Walters, chairman of the EDA. “These are challenging times in a difficult economy, but Bay County’s future is brighter than ever. Bay County is well poised to expand its place in the global economy. We are grateful that Dr. Wright has agreed to work with us in this transition period such that the work of the EDA proceeds without interruption. His past experience as a community leader in Bay County and his academic background in public administration and policy make him uniquely qualified for this task.”
Clem’s resignation will mean that his official tenure as executive director will end on January 5th, but will be available to assist Dr. Wright as needed until he assumes his new role in Albany in Mid-January.
Hosted by the Convention and Visitors Bureau, winter residents from Canada, the Midwest, Northeast and other parts of the United States will be treated to complimentary coffee and donuts from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16th. The Visitor Information Center is located at the corner of Hwy 98 and Hwy 79 in Panama City Beach. Additional complimentary coffee & donut days are scheduled for January 30th, February 13th & February 27th.
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