In October, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield would be leaving after 12 years at the helm of the state’s economic development efforts. His tenure is effective until Jan. 1 when Ellen McNair takes over as secretary.
In the meantime, Canfield shared his next high-profile career move Tuesday.
Burr & Forman, a nationwide law firm with deep roots across the Southeast, said Canfield will come on board as Managing Director of Economic Development.
“Economic expansion is good for communities and good for families,” Canfield said. “I am proud of what we achieved during my time in the public sector and look forward to continuing those efforts across the Southeast in my new role at Burr & Forman.”
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At Burr & Forman, Canfield will continue working to attract and retain businesses in the state and throughout the Southeast. He’ll work with the firm’s economic development team, which includes five lawyers across five states.
“Secretary Canfield and I have worked together for over a decade,” said Burr & Forman Partner Lee Thuston. “He knows economic development – and particularly the automotive sector – inside and out. That knowledge and his leadership will be a great benefit to our clients going forward.”
Burr & Forman CEO Ed Christiand said, “Our law firm has long enjoyed a reputation for results in the economic development industry. We are thrilled to have Secretary Canfield joining us to build on that success and ensure seamless, knowledgeable service to our clients.”
During his 12 years heading the Commerce Department, Canfield secured more than $70 billion in investments, creating 180,000 jobs; launched the department’s rural development strategy; and participated in trade missions to 30 countries.
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“Greg will go down as one of Alabama’s best economic development heads, and he will be noted for projects like Mazda Toyota and credited for branding the Made in Alabama name worldwide,” Ivey said in October. I will forever be grateful for all that Greg has accomplished for our state, and I know he will continue having great success in his career.”
Prior to joining Commerce, Canfield served in the Alabama House of Representatives. He has a finance degree from the University of Alabama and UAB.
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
