Greg Canfield Email & Phone Number

Birmingham, Al, Us

Serving as the Secretary of Commerce for the State of Alabama since July 2011, in this cabinet-level role, I provide executive leadership to a team of over 275 business recruitment, international trade and workforce development professionals. I am responsible for the execution of the strategy to foster sustainable and diverse economic growth, facilitate dynamic job creation and attract new capital investment across Alabama. My responsibilities encompass overseeing and advancing the department's five key priorities: business recruitment and expansion, international trade and export promotion, workforce development, small business support and film projects. One of my notable achievements is the transformation of the Alabama Development Office into the Alabama Department of Commerce, including launching a new marketing strategy and the "Made in Alabama" brand in early 2013. Additionally, our success has received repeated accolades from industry publications. Since 2011, we have attracted projects involving an impressive $71+ billion in new capital investment and the recruitment of 181,000 jobs. We have twice broken the State’s trade export record, most recently in 2022 reaching a record value of $25.5 billion. In 2022 we also recruited a record-breaking $10.1 billion in capital investment. As a direct report to the Governor, I play a pivotal role in negotiations with companies considering making new investments. I have had the privilege of collaborating with renowned companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Mazda, Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, Google, Amazon, Airbus, Blue Origin, Polaris, First Solar and many others. During my tenure, we successfully revamped the state's incentives platform, making it more fiscally responsible and effective for the long term. My extensive international travel has afforded me the opportunity to cultivate a diverse network of high-level business contacts across the globe, further strengthening Alabama's position on the international stage.

Us

A member of the House Leadership Team. Served as Chairman of House Committee on Commerce and Small Business in 2nd term. Developed and sponsored the Education Trust Fund Rolling Reserve Budget Act which has ended budgeting proration and established fiscally responsible reserves. Sponsored legislation to address improvements in Alabama’s tort laws, pro-business environment and economic development opportunities.

Commercial property & casualty, specializing in not-for-profit Directors and Officers Liability, Professional Liability, auto, home and life insurance.

Established, organized and grew a small business insurance and financial services practice. Performed all profit and loss management activities including strategic business planning, budgeting and marketing activities. Recruited and provided leadership training for agency support team. Grew the business over a 15-year period before selling the agency.

Responsible for development and penetration of markets in Alabama for non-cancellable, professional disability insurance product line focused on the medical, legal and executive professions. Market development focused on growing distribution via a channel of independent and captive insurance agencies/agents.

SALES - Birmingham, AL (1983-85)AREA MANAGER - Columbia, SC (1985-86) - Full P&L responsibility for statewide operations with 5 operating centersREGIONAL SALES MANAGER - Memphis, TN (1986-87) Directed regional sales team of a 4-state southeast organization REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION MANAGER - Memphis, TN (1987-88) - Directed the corporate budgetary and financial controls process for a 4-state region that included 10 facilities.DISTRICT MANAGER - Birmingham, AL (1988-89) - Full P&L Responsibility. Led the Alabama operations, marketing, sales and administration teams for all 6 operating centers.

Bs - Finance, Insurance & Investments

Business School