When Al Cook came on board with the City of Opelika in March, 2003 as the Director of Economic Development, he brought with him a style and a type of business savvy that made Opelika leaders smile.  And now, after eight years of tremendous service to the community, and effective May 31, 2011, he will be retiring.

During his eight years on the job, Al has helped create over 2,100 industrial jobs, which represent a capital investment of over $471 million to our community.  These numbers do not include Al’s involvement and build out of TigerTown, or the recruitment of the future development of “Celebrate Alabama”, which will ultimately mean thousands of retail jobs and millions of tourism dollars flowing in to Opelika.

Under Al’s leadership the City of Opelika has seen the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park grow from a single tenant to home to six world class companies.  The City also recruited Gambro Renal Products, which was the largest single capital investment in the history of Lee County at the time of the announcement.  Gambro planned to invest about $120 million but improvements and modifications during construction put the total to over $160 million.

“Al Cook has played a major role in our success and his magnificent efforts will not soon be forgotten,” stated Mayor Gary Fuller. “He always understood what the Mayor, City Council and Opelika Industrial Development Authority needed to do to close a deal and had the skill to bring it all together at the right time.  Al is the epitome of team work.”

City Council President Eddie Smith echoed Mayor Fuller’s sentiments and added, “On behalf of the Opelika City Council, I would like to wish Al much happiness as he enters into his retirement.  Al has done a wonderful job over the past eight years as the Economic Development Director and he will be sorely missed.  We extend to him and his wife, Dudley, congratulations and best wishes and we thank Al for a job well done.”

The City of Opelika will not have to travel far to find a capable replacement to step in to the Director’s chair; they will only have to go one office over from Al’s.  The Opelika City Council and Mayor Gary Fuller have announced that Mrs. Lori Huguley, Opelika Economic Development’s current Project Manager, will take over the helm as the new Director of Economic Development.

As Mayor Fuller puts it, “I’m confident Lori Huguley will do an outstanding job as our new Economic Development Director.  Lori had a successful career in sales before coming to work with us some six years ago, and she has been actively involved with several expansions of existing industry, as well as recruiting new industry.”

As Project Manager for the Economic Development Department, Lori’s primary responsibilities are to recruit new industry and business to the City of Opelika.

In April of 2010, Lori became a Certified Economic Developer; a national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth. This accreditation is awarded after completion of many hours of study in the field of Economic Development and passage of the Certified Economic Developer exam administered by the International Economic Development Association.  Lori is also on the Board of Directors for the Economic Development Association of Alabama.

Of Cook’s departure, Lori affirmed, “Al will definitely be missed.  He has a wealth of experience, and it has been wonderful to work for him and learn so much over the last six years.”

On hearing that she had been named as the New Director of Economic Development she stated, “I am very honored and excited the Mayor and City Council have given me the opportunity to lead our Economic Development Department. We have a great staff and an Industrial Development Authority that truly understands Economic Development. Opelika has so many strengths and we are poised for further growth as this economy continues to recover.”

Al Cook was equally complimentary of Lori as his replacement.  “I’m excited that Lori has been named Opelika’s Economic Development Director.  She has prepared herself for this position by doing an excellent job as Project Manager for the past six years as well completing the rigid requirements needed to become a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD).  I know she will do an outstanding job.”

Lori is a native of Millbrook, Alabama. She attended Auburn University and graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. Lori, her husband Hal, and their two daughters, Hayden and Abbey live in Opelika.

When Al Cook came on board with the City of Opelika in March, 2003 as the Director of Economic Development, he brought with him a style and a type of business savvy that made Opelika leaders smile.  And now, after eight years of tremendous service to the community, and effective May 31, 2011, he will be retiring.

During his eight years on the job, Al has helped create over 2,100 industrial jobs, which represent a capital investment of over $471 million to our community.  These numbers do not include Al’s involvement and build out of TigerTown, or the recruitment of the future development of “Celebrate Alabama”, which will ultimately mean thousands of retail jobs and millions of tourism dollars flowing in to Opelika.

Under Al’s leadership the City of Opelika has seen the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park grow from a single tenant to home to six world class companies.  The City also recruited Gambro Renal Products, which was the largest single capital investment in the history of Lee County at the time of the announcement.  Gambro planned to invest about $120 million but improvements and modifications during construction put the total to over $160 million.

“Al Cook has played a major role in our success and his magnificent efforts will not soon be forgotten,” stated Mayor Gary Fuller. “He always understood what the Mayor, City Council and Opelika Industrial Development Authority needed to do to close a deal and had the skill to bring it all together at the right time.  Al is the epitome of team work.”

City Council President Eddie Smith echoed Mayor Fuller’s sentiments and added, “On behalf of the Opelika City Council, I would like to wish Al much happiness as he enters into his retirement.  Al has done a wonderful job over the past eight years as the Economic Development Director and he will be sorely missed.  We extend to him and his wife, Dudley, congratulations and best wishes and we thank Al for a job well done.”

The City of Opelika will not have to travel far to find a capable replacement to step in to the Director’s chair; they will only have to go one office over from Al’s.  The Opelika City Council and Mayor Gary Fuller have announced that Mrs. Lori Huguley, Opelika Economic Development’s current Project Manager, will take over the helm as the new Director of Economic Development.

As Mayor Fuller puts it, “I’m confident Lori Huguley will do an outstanding job as our new Economic Development Director.  Lori had a successful career in sales before coming to work with us some six years ago, and she has been actively involved with several expansions of existing industry, as well as recruiting new industry.”

As Project Manager for the Economic Development Department, Lori’s primary responsibilities are to recruit new industry and business to the City of Opelika.

In April of 2010, Lori became a Certified Economic Developer; a national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth. This accreditation is awarded after completion of many hours of study in the field of Economic Development and passage of the Certified Economic Developer exam administered by the International Economic Development Association.  Lori is also on the Board of Directors for the Economic Development Association of Alabama.

Of Cook’s departure, Lori affirmed, “Al will definitely be missed.  He has a wealth of experience, and it has been wonderful to work for him and learn so much over the last six years.”

On hearing that she had been named as the New Director of Economic Development she stated, “I am very honored and excited the Mayor and City Council have given me the opportunity to lead our Economic Development Department. We have a great staff and an Industrial Development Authority that truly understands Economic Development. Opelika has so many strengths and we are poised for further growth as this economy continues to recover.”

Al Cook was equally complimentary of Lori as his replacement.  “I’m excited that Lori has been named Opelika’s Economic Development Director.  She has prepared herself for this position by doing an excellent job as Project Manager for the past six years as well completing the rigid requirements needed to become a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD).  I know she will do an outstanding job.”

Lori is a native of Millbrook, Alabama. She attended Auburn University and graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. Lori, her husband Hal, and their two daughters, Hayden and Abbey live in Opelika.

Wal-Mart Distribution Cetner #6095 has again agreed to sponsor the Clean Campus Program for local schools. Clean Campus Program, an endeavor by Keep Opelika Beautiful, works with teachers in all schools to provide environmental programs to all students. Keep Opelika Beautiful is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and receives educational material, Waste in Place, through KAB. The local liaison teachers use this manual for classroom teaching. The value of the Clean Campus Program comes from the hands-on experience the students receive. Each teacher determines a project for the school to participate in throughout the year. These projects range from collecting plastic bottles, creating a hummingbird habitat to recycling crayons to create an art project. At the end of the school year, each campus is judged on a variety of criteria including cleanliness and environmental promotional material.

Again, Keep Opelika Beautiful appreciates Wal-Mart Distribution Center #6095 and their commitment to our community.

For more information call Keep Opelika Beautiful at (334) 749-4970.

From Tippi Miller at KOB this week:  Wal-Mart Distribution Center #6095 has again agreed to sponsor the Clean Campus Program for local schools. Clean Campus Program, an endeavor by Keep Opelika Beautiful, works with teachers in all schools to provide environmental programs to all students. Keep Opelika Beautiful is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and receives educational material, Waste in Place, through KAB. The local liaison teachers use this manual for classroom teaching. The value of the Clean Campus Program comes from the hands-on experience the students receive. Each teacher determines a project for the school to participate in throughout the year. These projects range from collecting plastic bottles, creating a hummingbird habitat to recycling crayons to create an art project. At the end of the school year, each campus is judged on a variety of criteria including cleanliness and environmental promotional material.  Again, Keep Opelika Beautiful appreciates Wal-Mart Distribution Center #6095 and their commitment to our community.  For more information call Keep Opelika Beautiful at (334) 749-4970.