Beach to retire as St. Clair County economic development director

Terry Beach, longtime director of St. Clair County economic development, said today he will be retiring later this month.

Beach spelled out his plans today in an email update to residents.

“Last September, I informed County Board Chairman (Mark) Kern that I would be retiring in early 2019. Well, my last is day is next Thursday, Jan. 31,” the email said. “After 40+ years in the public sector, it is time.”

Beach adds that he plans on “being a partial failure at retirement.  And I will remain active in several civic organizations in the STL region. So, I’ll be around. Just more time to fish and travel!”

Beach said his replacement is Rick Stubblefield, who has been with the county for more than nine years and is currently the Workforce Development Group coordinator.

“Rick is well thought of by his peers, and is very active in regional, state, and national organizations,” Beach said. “He is assuming both of my positions (director of the Economic Development Department and executive director of the Intergovernmental Grants Department. And by default of the latter, he will also be the director of the St. Clair County Community Action Agency, one of two 501c3 organizations internal to the Grants Department).”

Beach anticipates that Kern will appoint Stubblefield at the County Board meeting Monday night, with board consent.