New ODEDC President named

By Michelle Mann

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An Ozark woman is the new Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation President.

Holle Hartzog Smith has been named to lead the organization whose mission is to improve the economy of Dale County through the creation and preservation of jobs, to attract new industrial opportunities and to assist Dale County’s existing industries in retention and expansion.

“We are delighted to have Holle as our new president,” said ODCEDC Board Chairman Derek Dickens. “She has a deep-seated desire to see great things happen in Dale County and will work tirelessly to that end.”

“I am thrilled with the opportunities that lie ahead with this new position and look forward to using my love of Ozark to help market and grow our community, making it a better place to live and raise our children,” the daughter of Dr. Danny and Emily Hartzog of Clayton said.

Smith is the granddaughter of the late Kenneth and Verlie Hartzog of Elamville and the late Edward and Florine Griffin of Eufaula. 

A Clayton native, Smith has called Ozark home for 15 years. She is a 2003 graduate of Huntingdon College and is the owner of Elevations School of Dance in Ozark.

She is an active member of the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce, the Wiregrass United Way, and First United Methodist Church.

Smith is the mother of two sons, Holton, 10, and Hooper, 4.

Smith fills the position vacated by Veronica Crock who served as the organization’s executive director for five years before she assumed the position as a senior project manager at the Alabama Department of Commerce.

ODEDC is a non-profit 501c6 organization with offices on US 231 South in Ozark.