TIFTON — A former Colquitt County administrator has taken the top job at Tift County’s chamber of commerce and development authority.

The chamber’s board of directors met in executive session before a special called meeting July 19 when they and members of the development authority voted unanimously to offer the job to Brian Marlowe, who served as Colquitt County’s administrator from 2001 to 2003.

Marlowe, who currently serves as executive director of the Grady County Develpment Authority, will serve as the president and CEO of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce and as executive director of the Tifton-Tift County Development Authority.

“He has a very diverse background,” said Lynn Lovett, the chairman of both the Tifton-Tift County Development Authorities. “He has handled a lot of large projects.”

Lovette said Marlowe’s work experience, especially in economic development on the state level, and the state contacts he’s obtained along the way will “hopefully help us get more projects going here.”

“He has a proven ability to bring in jobs,” Lovett said. “He has demonstrated that he can create jobs. We feel we really need jobs now and that he will be a critical part of our team to help us get there. We are anticipating that it will be a mutually good relationship.”

Lovett said that at the end of the second day spent with Marlowe, Marlowe gave those interviewing him a paragraph-long statement that he would move his family from Worth County to Tift County and signed it.

“He knows a lot of people here already,” Lovett said.

Grady Thompson, chairman of the Tift County Board of Commissioners, said that he was also impressed with Marlowe after spending a day getting to know the candidate.

“Everyone (references) that called me about him said he was a go,” Thompson said.

Thompson encouraged everyone, including the COC, the development authorities, the city council and others in the community to support Marlowe and work together.

Marlowe currently serves as the executive director of the Grady County Development Authority-Chamber of Commerce. According to his resume, he started that position last year. Before that, he served from 2004-2009 as the regional project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development; from 2001-2003 as Colquitt County’s administrator; from 1998-2001 as Worth County’s administrator; and from 1997-1998 as regional consultant for Georgia Family Connection.

Also, according to Marlowe’s resume, he graduated from Valdosta State College with a master’s degree in public administration and from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He lists his professional affiliations and board memberships as being with the International Economic Development Council; the Georgia Economic Developer’s Association; the GACCE; the Southwest Workforce Investment Board; the Cairo Rotary Club; the Georgia Agri-Leaders Forum Foundation; the Sylvester Development Authority; and VSU MPA Advisory Council.

Marlowe fills the position left vacant when Brad Day resigned in April. He is expected to begin his new position Aug. 16. He was not hired under a contract and will make $95,000 annually.