FROM STAFF REPORTS

Greg Canfield, a Republican state representative from Vestavia Hills, has been appointed as the new director of the Alabama Development Office, Gov. Robert Bentley announced July 6.

Canfield will replace current ADO Director Seth Hammett, who is returning to his position with PowerSouth Energy.

Canfield is expected to begin his duties at ADO on or before August 1.

“I am very excited Governor Bentley is giving me the opportunity to build on Alabama’s legacy as one of the most desirable states in which to locate business and industry,” Canfield wrote in a press release. “Now, more than ever, we must elevate Alabama as the preeminent state for business and job creation. This is Alabama. Let’s do business.”

Bentley called Canfield a “salesman at heart.”

“He knows both large and small business, having worked for Fortune 500 companies and started a small business from the ground up,” Bentley wrote in a press release. “As a long-time leader in one of the economic centers of Alabama, Greg has been deeply involved in significant job recruitment efforts at both the state and local level.

“I am pleased that he is willing to serve in this important role,” Bentley added, “and I look forward to continuing to work with our entire ADO team as we put Alabama back to work.”

Hammett said he has “a lot of respect for” Canfield and would help Canfield “in any way I can as he leads this important state agency.”

Canfield began his career in business with the Fortune 500 Company, Purolator Corporation. He later became the Southeast regional sales manager and then regional administration manager with responsibility for the corporate regional budgetary process.

Canfield entered the insurance and financial services field in 1991 and opened a small business in 1993 marketing insurance services to businesses and individuals.  After selling his business in 2008, Canfield joined J.H. Berry Insurance in Birmingham.

“I’ve known Greg for many years and can’t think of anyone who would bring more creative talent to this very important job of industry recruitment than he would,” Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead wrote in a press release.

“More than anything,” Armistead added, “we need jobs in Alabama and I’m confident that Governor Bentley has chosen the right person to lead our efforts to make Alabama the best place in America to do business.”