By Kaitlin Hoskins, News Editor
Brett Johnson, Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford’s Chief of Staff, has been appointed as the new executive director of the Dekalb County Economic Development Authority.
Johnson, who will begin his role in November, will succeed Jimmy Durham, who has led the organization since its conception 30 years ago.
Johnson’s introduction to serving in a governmental role happened as a young man, through the YMCA of Coosa Valley’s Youth in Government program. Later, he met Ford at local campaign events and meetings of political groups in Etowah County.
When Ford became minority leader in House of Representatives, he asked Johnson if he wanted a job in Montgomery.
“Mayor Ford said that he had been given a little money for a staff once he became minority leader,” Johnson said. “He asked if I wanted to come on board and I said ‘yes’.”
“Of course, he didn’t say just how little money it was exactly,” Johnson joked.
When Ford ran for Senate District 10 years later, Johnson helped with the campaign as well. Then Ford’s run for mayor of Gadsden resulted in Johnson being brought in again.
“Mayor Ford brought me in on day one,” Johnson said. “I will always be grateful that he brought me in. The day we were allowed in City Hall we were all running around without a clue of where to go or what needed to be done. We didn’t even know where the bathrooms were.”
Johnson said it is bittersweet to leave the position he is currently in.
“There is so much good going on in Gadsden,” he said. “There is so much I look forward to watching happen. This Gadsden Greenway is going to be transformational. I can’t wait to see how it transforms Gadsden. It’s only one part of the master plan, but great things are coming to Gadsden. I’ll get to watch it from Dekalb County.”
Johnson has previously held leadership positions at the Alabama Higher Education Partnership, the Alabama Education Association and Liberty Learning Foundation.
He believes that his years of working closely with industry leaders and leaders in all levels of government will help him in his new role.
“It’s all about relationships and bringing two parties to the table,” Johnson said.
Johnson and his wife Tiffany are looking forward to moving to Dekalb County. Tiffany is a Fort Payne native and a graduate of Fort Payne High School. Johnson said her dream job after graduating college as a teacher was to come back home to teach in Fort Payne schools. She currently serves as a reading specialist for Etowah County Schools.
“I am ready to deliver for DeKalb County,” Johnson said. “We have tremendous assets to promote and are blessed to be in one of the most resourceful areas in the country. I’m looking forward to working with our industry partners to expand on what has gotten us to this point while also reaching for new heights through strategic innovation.”
Johnson holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science and communication from Jacksonville State University. He is a certified Local Government Professional Manager (LGPM), a Certified Alabama Planning and Zoning Official (CAPZO), and a Certified Nonprofit Executive (CNE). He recently defended his doctorate dissertation at University of the Cumberlands, where he now holds a doctorate degree.
“We’re going to miss Brett,” Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford said. “Our loss is Dekalb County’s gain. Brett has been an integral part of what we’ve done in the city so far and what we will be able to do in the future.”
The City of Gadsden has not announced plans for the vacancy Johnson’s departure will leave.