Rigsby accepts job as economic director

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Don Rigsby, currently president of the Chamber of Commerce, has accepted the newly formed position of director of economic development for McMinnville and Warren County under the direction of the IDB. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

After a long, arduous and challenging process, the Industrial Development Board has announced Don Rigsby, currently the president of the Chamber of Commerce, has accepted the job as the county’s new director of economic development.

Though more than a dozen applicants were considered and several interviews were conducted, Rigsby was selected from two finalists.

Rigsby comes from a similar position in DeKalb County and has an extensive background in industrial recruitment including many years experience in the military in related areas.

Up until the resignation of Jim Gray, the position of industrial recruiter and Chamber president were combined with one person handling both jobs. When Gray left, the Industrial Development Board separated the two positions, citing the need to have one person work strictly on industrial recruitment and economic development. Soon after the decision was made to split the jobs, the Chamber began searching for a new president while the IDB began searching for a director.

Rigsby had applied for both positions, and when he was offered the Chamber president job earlier this year, he was hired with the understanding he was still interested in the director of economic development position. The Chamber agreed to allow him to make the move if he should be offered the other position.

Rigsby was offered the Director of Economic Development job last Tuesday and asked for some time to consult with local officials before accepting the position Friday. He said he was quite pleased with conversations he had with officials that included County Executive Kenneth Rogers, McMinnville Mayor Royce Davenport and County Commissioner David Vandagriff, who chairs the Economic Development Committee.

“It seems like everybody really wants to work together now and wants to help me, which I’ll need a lot of help,” Rigsby said. “Everybody’s eager for our economy to grow and new jobs to come into town, so that’s really encouraging. The city and county are putting together the right resources to help see that done, so I’m really excited about the new job.”

IDB chairman Joe Hamby says he is pleased the long process is over, but reiterated the importance of making a careful choice.

“We realize this has taken a long time,” Hamby said. “But we wanted to be very thorough and make sure we were hiring the best person for the job.”

Hamby says he is pleased with the IDB’s choice, citing Rigsby’s experience as well as his familiarity with the area and local ties.

“Don Rigsby will be an asset to the future of economic development in McMinnville and Warren County,” Hamby said. “We look forward to a long relationship with him in that capacity.”

Rigsby will continue in his current position as president of the Chamber for the next few days until his actual date of hire can be finalized. Hamby also said the Chamber and the Industrial Development Board have an excellent working relationship and that will continue.