It’ s been a long time coming. After spending the past 25 years working in economic development across the City of Cullman, Jamie Troutman officially steps into the director role this year as the new head of the Cullman Economic Development Agency( CEDA).
It’ s a role previously held by local economic development stalwart Dale Greer, who recently retired, and longtime director Peggy Smith before that. Troutman worked extensively under both during her tenure at CEDA.
“ As I step into this role, my focus is on alignment. When recruitment targets match our workforce strengths and infrastructure investments, Cullman is positioned to compete effectively and grow in a way that is sustainable and beneficial to the entire community,” Troutman said of her approach in taking on the role.“ I’ m excited about developing a plan for economic development in Cullman and seeing our goals come to fruition.”
Troutman noted that leading CEDA is a unique job due to the longstanding success industry leaders have had in making Cullman a destination in north Alabama, which is a testament to the myriad business and government leaders who came before.
“ Cullman has a strong foundation built by forward-thinking leaders like Chester Freeman, Big Doc Williamson, and Peggy Smith – to name a few. My goal is to build on that momentum by listening, collaborating and making sure our economic development efforts reflect the priorities set by our local leaders,” she said.“ I want to make the people and businesses who call this community home successful and proud to be in Cullman. Our office is committed to supporting them and ensuring Cullman remains a competitive, business-friendly place to invest and expand.”
As the landscape of economic development has evolved in recent years, and Cullman’ s sustained growth with it, Troutman said she is aiming to“ redefine success” beyond just splashy industrial announcements and the jobs they will create.
““ As I step into this role, my focus is on alignment. When recruitment targets match our workforce strengths and infrastructure investments, Cullman is positioned to compete effectively and grow in a way that is sustainable and beneficial to the entire community.”
— JAMIE TROUTMAN
“ Cullman has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state,” she explained.“ Sure, we will still need those [ big project announcements ], but we have to focus on our existing industry and diversification of our economy. We plan to do a deep data dive to look at our labor force and what occupations are out commuting daily.”
Cullman is less than an hour from Huntsville via Interstate 65, and Troutman said that proximity is an asset she wants to capitalize on even more with the accessibility of high-tech, aerospace, defense and R & D sectors just down the road.
“ I also understand the importance of our existing industries. Cullman is consistently No. 1 in Alabama for the number of expanding industries. That is a testament to our leaders, location, workforce, quality of life and more,” she added.“ I’ m looking forward to visiting our local industries and learning how our office can assist them and help them succeed. We want to be a onestop-shop for anything our existing industries need.”
As a Cullman High graduate and native daughter, Troutman said having the opportunity to lead CEDA is the best way she could ever imagine to give back to the community that has invested in her for so many years.
At left, Jamie Troutman, second from left, during the Economic Development Association of Alabama’ s Winter convention as Gov. Kay Ivey gives her remarks during the EDAA Governor’ s Luncheon on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 in Montgomery. Above, Troutman with Ivey at the 2025 EDAA Summer Conference Governor’ s Luncheon at The Grand Hotel July 28, 2025 in Point Clear.
PHOTOS COURTESY HAL YEAGER, GOVERNOR’ S OFFICE
PROFILE 2026 | 31