Greg Canfield
Vestavia Hills,AL
Summary
Strategic and results-oriented business leader with experience in strategy, planning, international business and operations. Skilled in developing and executing business plans to maximize profitability, streamline operations and maintain compliance with industry regulations. Proven people leader motivates and optimizes staff performance and productivity.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director of Economic Development
Burr & Forman LLP
01.2024 - Current
- Direct the firm's Economic Development Team of lawyers within a seven state operation
- Strengthen client relationships with regular communication, timely project delivery, and expertise that compliments the legal services provided to the firm's client base
- Guide cross-functional teams of lawyers that handle economic development matters regarding real estate, incentive negotiation and implementation, choice of entity and tax structure, construction and contract negotiation, environmental permitting and government relations
Secretary of Commerce
Alabama Department of Commerce
07.2011 - 12.2023
- Led statewide team of economic development and workforce development professionals that successfully recruited companies from 30 nations, resulting in over $76 billion in new inbound capital investment and the addition of more than 188,000 new future jobs into the Alabama economy over a 12-year period
- Rebranded the Alabama Development Office to Alabama Department of Commerce and launched the accompanying Made in Alabama brand strategy
- Implemented the State's first-ever statewide strategic plan, Accelerate Alabama, creating new alignment between Commerce, the private sector, Alabama’s research universities, community college system and primary public education system
- Directed the development and launch of the Alabama Jobs Act, the Alabama Renewal Act and The Game Plan Package: new performance-based pay-as-you-go incentives based on project investment and job creation incorporated with a new financial due diligence incentive management system and new site development and site acquisition matching fund programs to spur the growth of additional sites for economic development
- Collaborated with Alabama’s seven research universities through the Vice Presidents of Research and Economic Development, Hudson Alpha and Southern Research to incorporate the EPSCoR State Science and Technology Roadmap into Accelerate Alabama 2.0 and launch of a new searchable database for statewide research
- Worked closely with the Alabama Port Authority and stakeholders to support investments to increase capacity, invest in new inland port infrastructure and other capital projects related to the Port of Mobile's continued expansion and modernization
- Led international trade missions to 31 countries in support of growing Alabama's small and medium-sized enterprise export activity and the setting of new export records in 2017, 2022 and 2023
- Strengthened partnerships and alignment within the legislature in a non-partisan manner to achieve legislative goals and economic development project success
- Directed the launch of a new communications platform including international web presence, social media channels and earned media strategy to enhance Alabama's economic brand strategy to an international audience
- Recruited international industry-leading companies to Alabama, such as Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA, Google, Blue Origin, Kimber, Amazon, Airbus, Polaris, Aerojet Rocketdyne, GE Aviation, Novelis, James Hardie, Autocar and others
Independent Agent
J.H. BERRY INSURANCE
06.2008 - 07.2011
- Developed insurance practice focused on small to medium sized businesses and their owners as well as with the non-profit sector across the state
State Representative
ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
11.2006 - 07.2011
- Developed a deep understanding of state budgeting of the General Fund Budget and Education Trust Fund Budget as a member of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the House Ways and Means-General Fund Committee
- Authored and developed the Education Trust Fund Rolling Reserve Budget Act, which after adoption by the Legislature in 2010, created sustainable increased spending, repaid the Rainy Day Fund $437 million and has prevented proration of the Education Budget since its enactment
- As Chair of the House Commerce and Small Business Committee collaborated closely with the Business Council of Alabama, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and other economic development entities in support of business development
President/Founder
CANFIELD INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICES
03.1993 - 06.2008
- Founded this scratch agency targeting business and family insurance and financial services and growing revenues that approached $4 million annually
- Recognized as a leading agency achieving Champion designation for growth and volume
- Sold business to Nationwide Insurance after 15 years in operation
President of City Council
CITY OF VESTAVIA HILLS
10.2000 - 11.2006
- Represented the City Council in the development of Vestavia’s first-ever comprehensive long-range plan for land use and economic development
- Engaged with private sector developers to locate projects in Vestavia Hills and worked the mayor in negotiating economic development incentives and support packages
Brokerage Manager
PROVIDENT LIFE & ACCIDENT
05.1990 - 03.1993
- Responsible for development and growth of a distribution network for insurance products to serve the professional markets across Alabama
National Accounts Manager East Coast
TRANSUS FREIGHT SYSTEMS
01.1989 - 05.1990
- Led Transus' strategy to grow accounts from Fortune 1000 companies located in a region that was bounded by Alabama and New Jersey along the U.S East Coast
State Manager, Regional Management
PUROLATOR CORPORATION
03.1983 - 01.1989
- Experienced a rapid 6-year career advancement with this company operating in the competitive distribution/logistics industry that provided next-day services via a hub-and-spoke ground transportation system within a 400 mile radius of a shipment's origin
- Directed the marketing and sales channel for the Alabama-Tennessee-Mississippi-Arkansas region for this distribution/logistics Fortune 500 company
- Led the budgeting and financial management systems as Regional Administration Manager for the Alabama-Tennessee-Mississippi-Arkansas region and its 18 offices
- Appointed as the youngest State Manager in Purolator's operation at the age of 25, leading South Carolina's five office location operations, sales/marketing and administration with full P&L responsibility
- Sales Coordinator - Account Executive for the state located in Birmingham, AL
Education
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
BS - FINANCE -
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM
01.1983
Skills
- Effective leader
- Strategic Planning
- Strategic Partnerships
- Negotiation
- International Business Relations
- Organizational Development
- Revenue Growth
- Recruitment Strategies
- Marketing Strategies
- P&L Management
- Management Team Building
- Business Growth Initiatives
Websites
Boards, Activities & Awards
- UAB Collat School of Business, Dean’s Advisory - Board Member
- Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association - Board Member
- Lay Minister, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church
- Alabama Germany Partnership Rainer Bauer Award
- Southern Automotive Manufacturers Alliance Hall of Fame
- Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Alliance Hall of Fame
Timeline
Managing Director of Economic Development
Burr & Forman LLP
01.2024 - Current
Secretary of Commerce
Alabama Department of Commerce
07.2011 - 12.2023
Independent Agent
J.H. BERRY INSURANCE
06.2008 - 07.2011
State Representative
ALABAMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
11.2006 - 07.2011
President of City Council
CITY OF VESTAVIA HILLS
10.2000 - 11.2006
President/Founder
CANFIELD INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICES
03.1993 - 06.2008
Brokerage Manager
PROVIDENT LIFE & ACCIDENT
05.1990 - 03.1993
National Accounts Manager East Coast
TRANSUS FREIGHT SYSTEMS
01.1989 - 05.1990
State Manager, Regional Management
PUROLATOR CORPORATION
03.1983 - 01.1989
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
BS - FINANCE -
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM
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