The Worth County Economic Development Authority has wooed Greg Sellars, economic development coordinator of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce, to cross the county line and join them as their new executive director.

Sellars, a familiar face at the Tifton Chamber for the past two years, will assume leadership of Worth’s EDA at the first of next month.

Worth’s EDA voted unanimously to fire their former executive director, Alex McCoy, last January. Sellars was one of six applicants who interviewed for the position. Dan Nesbit, EDA chairman, said he was happy to have Sellars “on board” and said he thought Sellars would “work out fine for us.”

According to The Albany Herald, McCoy, with the support of previous EDA board members, led an effort to purchase and develop an industrial tract through a bond issue and an increase in the EDA’s tax levy. The Worth County Commission later refused to adopt the tax increase, and the effort floundered.

“I am honored to have been given the opportunity to serve the Tifton and Tift County community and I have enjoyed working for the community in this capacity for almost two years,” Sellars said. “I have enjoyed working with the staff, Board of Directors and Development Authority, and I appreciate all that I have learned.”

Sellars said three years ago he was working for Ameris Bank when his manager told him they needed an ambassador to the Chamber. “I didn’t know anything about the Chamber then,” Sellars said. “But I signed up. I enjoyed it. Then, when Carla Willet retired, I asked for her position.”

Sellars told the Gazette he feels confident he can get the job done for Worth County.

“With some 15 years experience in sales, leasing and banking that all fold into economic development every day,” Sellars said, “I think I have the background I need.”

Sellars lived in Sylvester from 1994 until 1998 and said he was excited about returning to Worth County.

“We’re disappointed he’s leaving, but we wish him well,” said Brad Day, president and CEO of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce.

To contact reporter Jana Cone, call 382-4321, ext. 208.