Darrell Moore.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Darrell Moore has been in charge of bringing jobs and growth to Colquitt County for two decades. That’s going to continue, but Moore will add more than three-dozen other counties to his workload when he returns to his alma mater.

Moore, president of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority, will be the inaugural director of Valdosta State University’s Center for South Georgia Regional Impact. His tenure will begin on Aug. 13.

“Valdosta State’s unwavering commitment to the 41-county South Georgia service area was the impetus for the creation of the Center for South Georgia Regional Impact,” the university said in a news release. “This center will allow VSU to partner with community leaders to identify the issues confronting South Georgia and to connect those issues with faculty, staff and student expertise in the fields of economic development, education, health care, the arts, and governmental effectiveness and growth in South Georgia.”

Moore, a former student government president at VSU and 1991 graduate, has been involved in economic projects that represent more than $325 million in impact and created more than 3,000 jobs in the region, said John Crawford, vice president of university advancement at the university.

“(That) proves that he is absolutely the right person to lead our new center and demonstrates the type of impact that Valdosta State is prepared to make in South Georgia,” he said.

Greg Icard, recently hired as vice president at the development authority, will serve as interim president until a replacement is found for Moore, said authority board member Dennis Futch, who added that Icard is welcome to enter his resume for that position.

Moore will be difficult to replace, but his work impact will remain, Futch said.

Meat processing facilities Sanderson Farms and National Beef are among the two largest private employers in the county and were brought to Moultrie during Moore’s tenure. The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, which made a commitment to bring a medical school to the region in 2016, announced it would locate in Colquitt County in mid-May 2017.

“It’s with great regret I would accept Darrell’s resignation, but he’s found a path in a new job that can help Colquitt County and help his career,” Futch said. “He’s been a real asset to Colquitt County. He’ll still be an asset to Colquitt County and those other 40 counties.”

Moore will be around a few more weeks to help Icard, a Brooks County native, get up to speed on development projects that are in the works, Futch said.  

Growth for the region as a whole is good for Colquitt County, so Moore’s new job will be a positive, he said.

“We hate to lose him, but we understand he will still be here to help us,” Futch said. “He’s going to be a resource for us. We very much congratulate Darrell on his new position and thank him for his service.”

The Rev. Wayne Woods, chairman of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce, said that Moore has always treated him wth respect and enjoyed the relationship they had working together.

“From my standpoint, I think he’s done an excellent job,” Woods said.

The Center for South Georgia Regional Impact was created in 2018 as part of Valdosta State’s new strategic plan, which focuses on increasing student success and opportunities for experiences outside the classroom. It also looks to concentrate on the development of resources for communities in the region.

“The VSU service area is made up of diverse communities that share many of the same challenges,” Moore said. “Every community has to focus on work force, health care, education and community development to create jobs and enhance their quality of life.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to work with university leadership, students, faculty and staff in this new venture. The results will support community development and job creation and have a true regional impact.”