Editor’s note: This week, Georgene Brazer profiles Stacy Watson, director of economic and industrial development at the Georgia Ports Authority.
Stacy Watson is the director of economic and industrial development of the Georgia Ports Authority. A huge position creating, growing and attracting jobs and investments, calling upon potential businesses to “Grow Here, Launch Here.”
The port, a global carrier network, because of its superb location, yields vital links to U.S. and international markets. It is surrounded currently by almost 90 million square feet of warehouse and distribution center facilities, manufacturers, any business that would import or export with the potential for much more space in the near future.
A man of many talents, a man who is deeply pro business with much knowledge, a “been there done that” man who has much to share about what he does, his talent, but is very private. Because he is such an incredible listener it was difficult to get him to articulate who and what he is, what he brings to the port.
Sean Register, founder and CEO of Register International and a board member of the Development Authority of Bryan County, knows Stacy well. “He is an ‘awesome’ individual, a phenomenal ambassador for the port’s authority and its customers. He’s very accommodating to the needs of clients, fellow Bryan Countians, and his comrades in the National Guard. He is a matchmaker for customers and vendors. He’s always a ‘doing what’s right type of guy.’” Talking with Sean, with Stacy’s wife Gloria, with Chance Raehn, senior VP of Chesterfield, an industrial development company, and with Charles Stallworth, business recruitment cirector for Georgia Power’s Georgia Economic Department for this story, I soon realized my view of his observant, quiet way that I initially viewed as reticent, was off base.
Stacy was a country boy from Plainfield, Ga. A small place, a simple place. As he said, not a diverse area, a rural farming community in northeast Dodge County. At the height of its population it had a church, school, drug store, bank, doctors and several stores. From a population at its height of 1,500 in 1920 by 1940 it dropped to 673. The last store in operation closed in 2002. Definitely not diverse.
He had a wise father whose motto was “get out and get it done.” He always worked. At age 15 he went to work at both Piggly Wiggly as a bag boy and Walmart part time. His wife, Gloria, explained he is a super dedicated man with an old school mentality. His motto is be professional, take pride in your work and yourself. If you don’t know something, find out. He always does his homework and is both prepared and observant. With her comments, it became clear he wasn’t intentionally being distant, just careful. His strength, need for silence about work due to much he can’t share didn’t mean he was a difficult interview just one who had to travel a different road.
His transportation professor in college helped him get an internship with the Georgia Ports which led to a full-time job there. months which led. He got his start in operations, worked there for two years and now, the economic development side for 20 years.
He said to me, ”I’ve had two real jobs, the National Guard and the port, I’m blessed.”
He never told me his role in the National Guard, so I had to find out on my own. But he told me an important story about the Guard which answered for me how his philosophy was enhanced from the beginning with his father’s lessons on life and his family. He went to Officer Candidate School. He lived in a dorm setting for six weeks. In that venue a round table was held about impressions “of you.” One participant said of him, “you have a lot to offer, your suggestions are thought out but you don’t speak much.” A listener more than a speaker. Stacy believes in letting others speak and interjects or adds to conversation or projects when he needs to teach or make the ideas and conversation richer.
This man holds the rank of major in the Georgia Air National Guard, 165th Airlift Wing in Garden City, serves as the wing inspector general and has served for over 32 years in this vital role that ensures readiness, discipline and efficiency. I found out this fact through a mutual friend inadvertently in conversation!
This is a leader, a man who understands leadership and lives it through his two important roles.
Sean Register, calls Stacy a “a humble man who never pats himself on the back. It is never about himself, it’s about us.” He stressed that Stacy leads with clear intention and persistence in his job at the port.
Raehn, in his role with Chesterfield, has worked with him for 15 years and has become a personal friend. He told me Stacy never talks about himself. He excels because of the way he conducts himself in business.
“He is a man I can depend on. He is more than a colleague, a friend, a good friend, one of my best friends, a man I can depend on and trust. Trust is the basis for all relationships. He’s an overall guy, his reputation precedes him.”
Charles Stallworth says of Stacy that “He has great character and integrity. He is a man who comes across as decent, credible and trustworthy. He doesn’t sell, he presents. People listen.”
As I reread what I’ve written I see a simple message from all about a complex man they call colleague and they call friend.
It is clear to me that the success he achieves, his excellence at what he does, his deep commitment, is not a skill but an attitude he lives and teaches.
Thank you Stacy for the excellent job you do for the world that uses the port and comes here to build and expand their business.
Thank you for your commitment through your vital role in the National Guard.
Your efforts are a reward to us all.
Georgene Brazer is chairwoman of the Richmond Hill Downtown Development Authority and a Ford resident. She can be reached at georgenebrazer@gmail. com.