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Jefferson County's industrial park system director resigns

The Birmingham News - April 23, 2008
by Dawn Kent

The director of the authority that operates Jefferson County's industrial park system is leaving her post for a job in the private sector.

Deborah McGill will join Birmingham's EGS Commercial Real Estate, where she will be involved in industrial real estate sales, consulting and development.

McGill has been with the Jefferson County Economic and Industrial Development Authority for 11 years, as its first and only executive director. She submitted her resignation to the authority's board Tuesday.

During her tenure, the park system has attracted companies that have generated about 1,700 new jobs and $850 million in new investment.

The parks in McCalla and Lakeshore, which together comprise about 1,100 acres, are home to operations for OfficeMax, Wachovia Bank and Mercedes-Benz suppliers.

A recent win for McCalla is a distribution center for Home Depot. There also are several pending projects for the park system.

In a letter read to the board, McGill called her decision to leave a tough one but said EGS presented her with an outstanding opportunity.

"I also leave completely humbled by what can happen when people truly believe in something and attempt to all work in unity to make things happen. The Jefferson Metropolitan Park System is the result of such efforts," the letter said.

McGill's last day at the authority is May 30.

A Florida native, she was director of economic development for the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce before coming to Jefferson County. In Prattville, she assembled 1,100 acres used for the community's Robert Trent Jones golf course.

Allen Pate, the founding chairman of the board, said the group had great confidence in the then-28-year-old. Over the years, she has proven to be a hard worker who has represented the authority well to county officials and prospects, he said.

Board Chairman Ronnie Acker said the search for her replacement will begin immediately, but he expects the group to take its time. He called McGill one of the best economic developers in the state.

"Not only is she a professional, but she has the personality to win people to her way of doing things," Acker said.

EGS President Marc Eason expects McGill to continue to play a key role in Birmingham's real estate scene, although her activities will not be limited to the metro area.

"We're pleased to have someone of Deborah's caliber join our company," he said. "She brings lots of energy, contacts and experience, which we believe will further our penetration of opportunities in the industrial side of our business."

 

Read the full story on The Birmingham News website.

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