July Guest Speaker: Don Smith, Executive Director – St. Clair EDC

About the Speaker:

Don Smith has been a professional economic developer for approximately 20 years and is currently the Executive Director of the award-winning St. Clair County Economic Development Council. Over the last 15 years, Mr. Smith has worked closely with the local elected officials to announce over 6300 new jobs and over $2 billion dollars in capital investment throughout St. Clair in the manufacturing and commercial sectors. The EDC’s uses a 5-year strategic plan to focus their efforts and accomplish their mission statement of “Creating jobs, increase wealth, and improve the quality of life for St. Clair County residents."

Mr. Smith graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration focusing on taxation and accounting, He is also a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. He speaks on the topic of economic development throughout the State and is currently an active member of numerous boards focusing on economic, rural, and workforce development. When he is not working, he likes volunteering with local charities and spending time outdoors with his wife and 3 children.