Southeast Gas announces the selection of Vincent Perez as Director of Economic Development. Perez will lead economic development throughout southeast Alabama as part of the Southeast Gas team.
“Vince brings statewide experience, excellent qualifications, and an exceptional energy to the roll of Economic Development for Southeast Gas, and for every community we serve,” said Greg Henderson, Southeast Gas President and CEO. “Southeast Gas partners with communities throughout the region to provide energy and opportunity for growth through servant leadership. We are excited to have Vince join our team and collaborate with others across Alabama who are working to help our state thrive.”
Since 2013, Perez progressed in roles with the Alabama Department of Commerce, where he most recently served as Senior Project Manager as one of the state’s official liaisons for new and potential businesses in Alabama. He directed statewide strategy around new company recruitment and existing industry expansion through the development of new policies and collaboration with regional and local stakeholders.
Perez’s experience includes extensive business development activities in Alabama that resulted in the successful recruitment and expansion of large multinational corporations including Novelis, The J.M. Smucker Company, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, Great Southern Wood, Shipt, Carvana, Niagara Bottling, Autocar, and Packaging Corporation of America, among others. His leadership in tech and bioscience recruitment resulted in the first TechStars accelerator in Alabama and the first RALLY reverse pitch event, which incorporated all research universities across Alabama and global bioscience companies.
“The culture at Southeast Gas and the company’s commitment to community partnerships through economic development aligns with my own values and goals,” said Perez. “For years, I’ve had opportunities to serve local municipalities in my role with the State, and now I’m thrilled to put that experience to work with Southeast Gas.”
Perez serves as a roundtable member on the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama; a board member and economic development committee member for Bio America; and a mentor with Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator. His previous involvement includes serving on the young professional steering committee for EDAA; selection as inaugural class member with University of Alabama Economic Development Leadership Academy; and recipient of EDAA’s Young Professional of the Year.
Perez graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 2013.
Southeast Gas provides natural gas service to more than 30,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in 36 communities in 19 Alabama counties. It is owned by 14 Alabama cities: Abbeville, Andalusia, Brundidge, Elba, Enterprise, Eufaula, Fort Deposit, Greenville, Headland, Luverne, Opp, Ozark, and Troy.
