ECGEDC welcomes new executive director

The Enterprise Coffee Geneva Economic Development Corporation announced its new executive director, Jan. 25, during a press conference at the business incubator building at the Yancey Parker Industrial Park.

The position was vacant after former director Frank Thompson resigned to accept a position with Troy University.

New Executive Director Jonathan Tullos said he is excited about the opportunity to work with the surrounding communities and business leaders to promote economic growth in the Wiregrass.

"(Alabama) has set up a plan to be a business friendly state, which makes it extremely attractive to industry," he said.

Tullos said the doors are wide open for this area as far and new business and industry is concerned. Focuses will be made, he said, on the aerospace and automobile industries.

Something that puts this area at an advantage, he said, is the amount of land available for developers. Other more populated areas don't have the room to expand or offer land at a much higher price.

Tullos said existing companies like Enterprise Electronics Corporation, which is looking to expand in the near future by adding 35-50 new jobs, account for much of the economic growth.

"Eighty-five percent of growth occurs within existing industry," he said, adding it'll be his job to ensure they have the support to make that expansion.

"This is my home. I have a vested interest in the area," said Tullos, who has been an Enterprise resident since 2002. "You couldn't ask for a better community to be a part of."

Tullos is a graduate of West Point Military Academy, where received a degree in business management.

Tullos went on to flight school at Fort Rucker and served as an Army aviation officer for more than eight years before he was honorably discharged.

He then earned a master's in business administration from Auburn University, as well as his Alabama real estate salesperson license.

Since then, Tullos has helped establish three private sector companies dealing primarily with real estate and natural resource investment.

Tullos has been married to wife Erin Cotter for nearly five years and is an active member of First United Methodist Church and a member of professional organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans, the Association of the United States Army and the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce.

He is active with charitable organizations, such as Team Red, White and Bluw, which assists disabled war veterans in assimilating back into society and the SOS Animal Shelter, which is the only no-kill animal shelter in the Enterprise area.