Rohrlack to oversee Mississippi authority

Gainesville Sun - October 10, 2001
By JOE COOMBS
Sun business writer

Bob Rohrlack, president of the Alliance for Economic Development, has accepted a position as executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority. He leaves next month after nearly six years in Gainesville, where he helped coordinate business advocacy and support work-related programs in Alachua County.

In his new post, Rohrlack will oversee the state of Mississippi's economic development agency, which has a $28 million budget and 320 employees. Rohrlack was approached two weeks ago by Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove about taking the job.

Rohrlack, who came to Gainesville from Tampa in February 1996, often clashed with elected officials regarding economic policies during his tenure, but he said the decision to leave wasn't based on those conflicts.

"In this profession, you're always ready for the next opportunity," Rohrlack said Tuesday. "And when something like this comes your way, you don't pass it up.

"While there is certainly a contrast between the way economic development is supported here and in Mississippi, this is an opportunity that received my attention. It's a career enhancement."

Rohrlack is the second high-profile development official to announce a career change in recent weeks. Last month, Gainesville's economic development director, Conchi Ossa, took a private-sector job at a local computer software company.

The alliance is the coordinating agency for the Council for Economic Outreach and the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce. Rohrlack actually started here as CEO's top executive and replaced Darrell Gosnell. He became president of the alliance when it was formed in July 1998.

The alliance's executive committee will appoint a search panel for Rohrlack's replacement at its next meeting set for Oct. 18, said Brian Robinson, chairman of the alliance board of directors.

"It will be a nationwide search, the same as six years ago when Bob was recruited to come here," Robinson said. "I think Mississippi's gain is Gainesville's loss.

"Bob understands how to coalesce government and private business. He has enabled this county to grow and have smart economic development, and that's a benefit to this community."

Rohrlack will leave the alliance Nov. 30 and start the job in Mississippi on Dec. 1. While the replacement search is under way, CEO and chamber of commerce staff will "stay focused on their mission," said Marco Oliveri, CEO vice president.

"I've known Bob since the mid-1980s and I've always respected him personally and in the business field," Oliveri said. "They are getting a wonderful person in Mississippi and a true professional, but our functions will continue. We'll continue to enhance and create job opportunities in Alachua County."

Rohrlack said he was pleased with the time he spent in Gainesville.

"Gainesville has been good to me, my wife and my children," he said. "It will be tough to leave, especially with the team of people we have (at the alliance). There are some spectacular people working here."

Joe Coombs can be reached at (352) 338-3102 or joe.coombs@gainesvillesun.com.

See October 10, 2001, issue of Gainesville Sun for original article.