Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford announced the appointment of his former legislative colleague, Rod Scott, as the city’s new director of planning. Scott replaces Nick Hall, who became the city’s personnel director upon the retirement of Kerry Payne.

“Rod is our resident philosopher!” said Ford. “He has a strategic mind, always thinking about how today’s actions will impact the future. His perspective and background make him a perfect fit for the city’s next planning director. As we are drafting the city’s first comprehensive plan in 50 years, the planning department is crucial to the future of Gadsden. We are going to rely on them for zoning, ordinances, neighborhood revitalization, business development, and so much more for years to come.”

Scott represented House District 55 in the Birmingham area for 16 years and taught finance, economics, and accounting for 15 years as a professor at Miles College. In the legislature, he was known for working well with both sides of the political aisle and advocating that state policy be future focused.

“I appreciate the opportunity to work with this new mayor who has a great vision for Gadsden and has put in place the necessary team to get it done,” said Scott. “I am excited to get to work in carrying out that vision.”

Scott’s professional background also includes sales and marketing with IBM and overseeing strategic planning for a national insurance corporation. Additionally, he has held several securities licenses practicing wealth management for Cigna insurance.

In the Alabama House of Representatives, Scott served as the ranking minority member on the powerful Ways and Means Education committee and the Education Policy committee. As a legislator, he was appointed to the Commission on Historic Tax Credits and the Alabama Supercomputer Authority board of directors. Additionally, he currently serves as one of Governor Kay Ivey’s appointees to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE).

While Scott is from Fairfield, Alabama, he is relocating to Gadsden. He holds a bachelors degree in economics from Yale University and a masters in business administration from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. His studies were focused in econometrics, the study of statistical applications to economic theory.

Scott has three daughters (Sarah-Valena, Jordan Elizabeth, and Bradlea-Roi) and three grandsons: Honour (6), Noah (5), and Nizer (2). In his free time, Scott enjoys reading, playing board games with his grandsons, and traveling to unique sites around the world.