“Gary is a great addition to our team of economic development professionals,” said Ted Clem, director of Commerce’s Business Development Division. “With his background, we think he will help energize our efforts to capitalize on the growth potential of Alabama’s life sciences sector and elevate the state’s profile with companies involved in advanced technology.

“Gary’s experience will be a real asset for us,” he added.

Before joining Commerce, Walton served as economic development program manager for Accelerator for America, a nonprofit organization that finds and develops solutions to economic insecurity.

In this role, he worked nationally on inclusive economic development strategies around commercial corridor and neighborhood development, workforce and small business ecosystem development, and small business support, among other innovative initiatives.

Previously, Walton was the state coordinator for Community Economic Development and Innovation and chairman of the Booker T. Washington Economic Development Summit at Tuskegee University. He is also a board member of the Alabama Microenterprise Network.

Walton received an MBA from the University of North Alabama and an undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He was a community scholar for the University of Alabama’s Community-Based Participatory Research Project.

Walton has served in numerous organizations: the Governor’s Small Business Development Committee, Leadership Sumter County (chair), Youth Empowerment Summit Committee, Homegrown Entrepreneurs Conference Committee, and the Alabama Department of Public Health and CDC’s Strategic Alliance for Health.

“I am excited to be working alongside a dedicated group of experienced economic development professionals at the Alabama Department of Commerce,” Walton said. “I look forward to helping this team secure new investment and jobs that change lives and lift communities across the state.”