MONTGOMERY, Alabama – The Alabama Department of Commerce announced today that longtime employee Stefania Jones has been promoted to Manager of Governmental Affairs and Marketing, giving her responsibility for key activities at the state’s lead economic development agency.

In her new role, Jones will serve as Commerce’s representative on legislative matters, helping to shape policy positions and maintaining channels of communication with state lawmakers and their staffers. She will also be Commerce’s conduit to local and federal legislative and government offices.

In addition, Jones will serve as Commerce’s public information officer and work to support the department’s long-running “Made in Alabama” brand. She will continue to coordinate the department’s representation at important events and trade shows held around the world.

Her appointment is effective today.

“Stefania has the talents and institutional knowledge to serve as an effective representative for Commerce in our multi-layered interactions with the state Legislature, and she will be able to communicate the department’s priorities and successes to our important audiences,” said Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Jones had served as Secretary Canfield’s executive assistant since 2011, shortly after he took the helm at Commerce. During his tenure, Alabama’s strategic economic development efforts have generated over $50 billion in new capital investment and more than 160,000 job commitments.

Jones said the position within Commerce’s Executive suite has given her a deep understanding of how the activities of the department’s divisions come together to facilitate economic growth through the attraction of investment of jobs for the state.

During her tenure, Jones has helped to coordinate the presence of the Alabama team at the Farnborough and Paris international air shows and has served as a liaison to the Governor’s Office and local, state and federal government offices on a variety of issues.

“One of my favorite aspects of my role at Commerce over the last 10 years has been the meaningful relationships I’ve been fortunate to make with government officials at all levels throughout the state,” Jones said.

“I look forward to working with these valuable partners of ours to continue to advance the critical mission of Commerce.”