Stinson Announces Retirement

Atlanta, GA - Longtime Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) president, Gene A. Stinson announces his retirement effective December 31, 2021, after leading the association for 23 years. To ensure a smooth transition, the SEDC board has created a search committee and will begin a nationwide search for Stinson’s replacement.

“Gene has been an exemplary leader throughout his tenure. Under his leadership, SEDC has added programming and professional development resources to benefit our members,” remarked Bob Helton, SEDC Board Chairman. He added, “we want to thank Gene for his dedication to SEDC and wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.”

Prior to joining SEDC, Stinson lead three chambers of commerce and economic development organizations in Tennessee and Georgia starting in 1986. In 2018, Gene was honored to serve as the Board Chair of the Georgia Society of Association Executives. Mentioning achievements at SEDC, Stinson is most proud of the vast expansion of member services and programming, along with more than tripling the budget through the expansion of non-dues revenue.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Gene for over 20 years and worked closely with him while I served on the SEDC Board of Directors,” said Bob Leak, Jr., 2017 SEDC Chairman. “Gene is the consummate professional and SEDC is a better organization and economic development is a better profession because of his leadership.”

“In looking back over my 35 years of experience in the economic and community development profession, I feel fortunate to have had a career I loved and been passionate about. When I was working on the community level it was so rewarding to know that your efforts were making a difference in people’s lives by helping companies locate and expand in our community,” stated Stinson. He added “and in my 23 years with SEDC I also played a part in exposing our members to new ideas and opportunities to help make their communities a better place. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

SEDC is the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America. Founded in 1946, the Council is a nonprofit membership organization of 900+ active and influential economic development professionals representing: local, regional, and state economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, business and industry, utilities, transportation, finance, and education. Throughconferences and meetings, research and publications, networking, and educational opportunities, SEDC enables members to advance their common interest – the promotion and enhancement of the economic development profession. For more information, visit www.sedc.org.