MONTGOMERY, Alabama – The Alabama Department of Commerce has added veteran economic developer Ted Clem as a senior project manager as the state agency targets more new jobs and investment.
Clem has served as a recruiter in Alabama, Florida and Georgia in a career that dates back to the early 1990s. Most recently, he was president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission in Georgia, where he led efforts to create a new industrial park, establish an incentives fund and recover jobs lost during the recession.
“Coming to the Alabama Department of Commerce is an honor and dream come true for me. As an Alabama native, I’ve always wanted to use my talent and skills on behalf of my home state,” Clem said. “Having served in two neighboring states, I can tell you the competition views the team at Commerce with admiration and respect. I feel privileged to be part of that team.”
Clem arrives at the Department as it moves to capitalize on growth opportunities in aerospace, automotive, bioscience and other key target sectors while also targeting an expansion of high-level research, development and technical capabilities in advanced manufacturing across the state.
“Ted has the experience to help our team of project managers successfully compete for economic development projects that will bring more high-wage jobs to our state,” Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield said. “He is a professional and can help us effectively deliver our message about Alabama’s business-friendly environment, top-rated workforce and proven job-training programs.”
Clem, a Georgiana native, began his career in Evergreen, Ala., as the first executive director of the Conecuh County Economic Development Authority. He later served with the Covington County Economic Development Commission before moving on to a business development post at the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce in 1995, when he began a 15-year stint in the Florida Panhandle.
During his time at the Bay County Economic Development Alliance in Panama City, he was an early proponent of the Beaches of Northwest Florida International Airport. He also served as chairman of the Florida Economic Development Council and helped form Florida’s Great Northwest, a regional economic development group for 15 counties.
While in Albany, Ga., Clem helped lead community strategic planning efforts and restructured economic development efforts. He was instrumental in the creation of a $30 million “deal closing fund” set aside for projects.
He holds the Certified Economic Developer certification and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Troy University, where he played on national championship football teams in 1984 and 1987. He also received a master’s degree in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi.
“I look forward to working with the fine professionals around the State of Alabama and helping them achieve their strategic objective to advance their local economies and create a better quality of life for their citizens,” Clem said.
