CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA
OPELIKA —
The city of Opelika welcomed Griffin O’Connor to the Opelika Economic Development team on Aug. 1, 2022, to fill the newly created position of talent attraction and retention coordinator.
“We are thrilled to have Griffin join our Economic Development team,” said Lori Huguley, director of Opelika Economic Development. “With a marketing degree from Auburn University and his experience in sales, Griffin will help us establish a detailed roadmap on how to best attract high-caliber talent for our existing companies and create an ongoing pipeline of the talent needed for business and industry of tomorrow.”
In his new role, Griffin will be responsible for identifying and attracting talented individuals that will provide the workforce needed in today’s advanced manufacturing and innovative business environments. He will accomplish this by working with established partnerships with Opelika City Schools, Southern Union State Community College, Auburn University and Fort Benning Army Base, as well as expanding Opelika’s workforce initiatives to include other K-12 school systems and postsecondary institutions throughout the region.
O’Connor, a native of Andalusia, Alabama, attended Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, where he earned an associate degree in science. While at LBWCC, he served as a college ambassador, Phi Theta Kappa, vice-president of service, an honors student and appeared on the Dean’s List. Upon graduation from LBW, Griffin transferred to Auburn University, where he graduated in May of 2021. At Auburn University, he majored in marketing, minored in finance, and was a cum laude graduate. Prior to joining the city, O’Connor worked in logistical sales at CargoBarn in Atlanta, Georgia.