Veronica Crock, an experienced economic developer and former educator who focused on workforce preparedness, has joined the business development team at the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Crock, who holds the title of senior project manager, will concentrate her efforts on advanced manufacturing projects statewide. She will have an initial focus on southeast Alabama, where she previously was an economic developer.

“The project managers in Commerce’s Business Development Division work strategically to create opportunities and jobs for citizens all across Alabama, and Veronica has the expertise to help us advance that mission,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “She is a great addition to our team.”

Veronica Crock, an experienced economic developer, is joining the Alabama Department of Commerce as a senior project manager. (contributed)

‘Outstanding job’

Crock previously was president of the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corp. in the region that is home to the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence/Fort Rucker and numerous aerospace companies.

She also was president of Grow Southeast Alabama, an 11-county organization that promotes industrial growth and job creation.

“Veronica is well-known to our team at commerce for the outstanding job she did in leading the local economic development efforts in Dale County, as well as her leadership with the regional efforts of Grow Southeast Alabama,” said Ted Clem, director of Commerce’s Business Development Division. “We are excited to have someone of her caliber on our project management team.”

Experience

Before starting her career in economic development, Crock was dean at Enterprise State Community College and the Alabama Aviation College, where she collaborated with economic development organizations, local governments and educational entities to establish a solid workforce development background.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, a master’s degree from Troy University and completed doctoral research at Alabama State University. She is a graduate of the Applied Economic Development Honors Program at the University of Alabama and the Intensive Economic Development Training Institute at Auburn University.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated team of economic development professionals,” Crock said. “I look forward to serving the state in this new role and will work hard to be a valuable and contributing member of the Alabama team.”

This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website.