The Alabama Community College System announced on Wednesday the hire of Jeff Lynn- a nationally recognized, award-winning leader in workforce development.

Lynn is known for developing and leading Louisiana’s award-winning LED Fast Start program throughout the past seven years.

Now in Alabama, Lynn will work with some of the state’s top industrial leaders to ensure that the community college system is providing education and skills to stay ahead of the state’s growing job force.

Jimmy Baker, acting chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, praised Lynn as the “Warren Buffett of workforce development.”

“He is great at what he does, and he is known for getting results,” Baker said. “We are thrilled to welcome him to Alabama and eager for him to hit the ground running.”

In the past, Jeff Lynn has tailored workforce development projects for Kia Motors, GM, Ford, Honda, Siemens, Toyo Tires North America, Sasol, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, IBM, GE Capital, CenturyLink and others. He officially joined the Alabama Community College System on October 3rd.

“Workforce development is a multi-tiered collaborative effort,” Lynn said. “Our success depends on our ability to work together to meet the collective needs of our state – residents who need good jobs, employers who need skilled workers, and communities that need business and industry in order to thrive. We must listen to the needs of our industries and provide world-class workforce solutions.”

The new hire is another indicator of trending job and business growth. In September, Area Development ranked Alabama as the sixth best state in the nation to do business. According to the magazine, that meant that the Yellowhammer state exhibited workforce development competency, low overall operating costs, favorable transportation infrastructure, right-to-work status, “strong state and local economic development agencies.”