Alliance names new leader
By From staff reports
Published in News on October 29, 2014 1:46 PM
Crystal Gettys, who for the last seven years has worked with the Lincoln Economic Development Association, has been named the new president of the Wayne County Development Alliance.
She will assume her new duties on Dec. 1.
The announcement was made this morning by the Development Alliance board of directors.
Mike Haney, Alliance vice president and existing industry specialist, has been serving as interim president since July.
He took on that role when Joanna Helms resigned after 14 years as president to become the first economic development director in her hometown of Apex.
"Crystal's wealth of experience and industry knowledge makes her a key addition to the Wayne County Development Alliance," said Kevin Kornegay, Alliance board chairman.
"We view Mrs. Gettys' appointment as a sign of our commitment to being a leading organization in our industry," board member Neal Benton said. "It is very fortunate that we were able to find someone of Crystal's caliber to fulfill this role."
Mrs. Gettys comes with a wealth of experience in economic development, having been instrumental in recruiting companies on both national and international levels, Alliance officials said.
Her efforts have resulted in more than $128,680,000 in announced projects for Lincoln County.
County Manager George Wood worked with Mrs. Gettys while he served as Lincoln county manager.
Wood, who served on the selection committee, said he told the other members he knew Mrs. Gettys and offered to recuse himself. The board said that was not necessary, he said.
The Alliance board used Sanford Holshouser, an economic development consulting firm, to help conduct the search for a new director.
The Alliance president is considered a county employee, but who is "leased" to the Alliance, Wood said. The agreement between the county and Alliance is that the president is hired by the Alliance board with concurrence of the county manager.
The county pays the salary, which is $92,500 per year.
Wood said that during the time he worked with Mrs. Gettys, she was in charge of industry recruitment while also acting as the interim director.
The county was working to develop an industrial park, a sewer project and recruiting companies from Germany and China, all of which was completed.
Wood said he had been very impressed with her work during such a "hyper-active" time while still being able to perform her regular duties.
Mrs. Gettys will lead the county's economic development initiatives by developing and executing a strategic plan aimed at attracting new businesses and supporting the growing Wayne County industrial community, Alliance officials said.
"I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to the growth and well-being of Wayne County," Mrs. Gettys said. "With the accomplished staff that is in place, I have no doubt that we will have many successes as a team."