NEAL WADE - was named by Gov. Bob Riley to lead the economic development of the State of Alabama as Director of the Alabama Development Office in January 2003. In this position, he is responsible for the state’s economic development efforts and directing programs to increase the number of quality jobs in the state. In January 2007, Mr. Wade became the second longest serving ADO director behind Red Bamberg.  In 2004 and 2006, the Alabama Development Office was named the top state economic agency in the U.S. by Site Selection Magazine.Alabama has also been named by Southern Business and Development magazine as having the strongest economy in the 17-state southeastern U.S. for the past four years.  Prior to joining Gov. Riley’s cabinet, Mr. Wade served as Vice President, Economic Development for The St. Joe Company. In 1990, Neal was asked to head the privately-funded Economic Development Partnership of Alabama where he served as President and CEO until February 2000.