Government & Economic Development Institute

GEDI Celebrates 50 Years of Service and Building Better Communities

The Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI) at Auburn University is celebrating 50 years of service to Alabama communities, marking a half-century of leadership development, professional education and economic advancement across the state.

Founded in 1976 as the Office of Public Service and Research, the organization has evolved significantly over the years, including several name changes, while remaining committed to its mission of promoting effective government policy and management, civic engagement, economic prosperity and an improved quality of life for Alabama residents. Since 2015, the organization has operated as the Government & Economic Development Institute.

"Marking 50 years of providing service impacting leaders and communities across the great State of Alabama is a true milestone," said Jeremy Arthur, director of GEDI and assistant vice president for University Outreach and Professional & Continuing Education. "As we have grown through the years, we never lose focus on the importance of the work we do as a team every day. We count it as an honor to serve Alabamians and demonstrate our commitment to training government leaders, helping communities grow, serving those in economic development and impacting our state for today and the future."

Through training, research, consulting and collaborative partnerships, GEDI has served communities in every Alabama county and beyond. The institute partners with professional associations and organizations to provide professional development, continuing education and certification programs for public servants and business professionals.

One of GEDI's signature programs is the Intensive Economic Development Training Course, which celebrates its 42nd year in 2026. Accredited by the International Economic Development Council, the program has graduated more than 1,700 economic development professionals since its inception.

Another cornerstone program is the Buddy Sharpless Education Institute, established in 1995 through a partnership with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama. Formerly known as the Alabama Local Government Training Institute, the program has trained every Alabama county commissioner elected since its founding. The required curriculum consists of 50 hours of instruction delivered through five courses designed to educate newly elected commissioners about the responsibilities and requirements of their office. State law requires commissioners to complete the program within two years of their initial election.

GEDI also administers an advanced education program for county commissioners that includes an additional 70 hours of instruction focused on enhancing effectiveness in policymaking and public administration.

Additional longstanding programs include the Local Government Professional Management Certification Program, offered in partnership with the Alabama City/County Management Association and the GEDI-EDAA Leadership Institute, The Alabama Association of Public Personnel Administrators’ Professional Development and Certification programs and the Alabama Department of Revenue’s Property Tax Administration program.

Over the past five decades, GEDI has earned a reputation as one of Alabama's leading university outreach organizations and remains a trusted resource for education, consulting and policy leadership for state and local governments, as well as the economic development community. While continuing to build on its established programs, GEDI remains focused on addressing emerging challenges and opportunities facing Alabama communities.

To learn more about GEDI’s programs and upcoming events, visit the GEDI website.

Sam Gaston’s Legacy: From The Plains to Public Service

When a young Sam Gaston came to Auburn in the mid-seventies to pursue a degree in Public Administration, he couldn’t envision the path his career would take, but he knew one thing, he wanted to work in public service. In November of 2025, Gaston was celebrated as he completed 45 years of doing just that and retired from spending the last 32 years serving the citizens of Mountain Brook as their City Manager. In that role he managed an organization of 260 employees and a $55 million budget with seven departments.

Earlier in his professional life, after earning his MPA from AUM, he worked in the planning departments at the cities of Decatur and Gulf Shores before pivoting to city management roles in Anniston and Powder Springs, Georgia. While public service has always been his job, Gaston jokes that it is also “his hobby.” Gaston gives back to his profession and his community, volunteering with numerous organizations including the Alabama City/County Management Association (ACCMA), Alabama Chapter of the American Planning Association, the International City-County Management Association (ICMA), and various Kiwanis Clubs. “I get great joy and satisfaction through my volunteer roles,” Gaston said. “Civic involvement seems to have been declining over the years, but I feel volunteering it is my civic duty. It gives me a great sense of purpose,” Gaston explained.

In his role as Board President of ACCMA, Gaston has worked side by side with the staff of Auburn’s Government & Economic Development Institute (GEDI) which coordinates and hosts its professional development courses and conferences. “I have worked closely with Julia Heflin and now Matt Ulmer, as well as other GEDI staff, and they do a fantastic job of putting together programs for ACCMA,” said Gaston. Ulmer said of Gaston, “Sam has been great to work with. On top of his leadership, he has taught or played a role in many of the ACCMA professional development courses.”

Gaston may have retired, but he is not slowing down. He plans to stay involved in church, the library and Kiwanis club, travel, and spend time with his kids and grandkids. He will also be active with ICMA and ACCMA, serve as an interim city manager as needed, and teach classes at Auburn and UAB. The GEDI staff appreciates everything Gaston has done to support and enhance the programs offered to Alabama’s public servants and wishes him well as he embraces retirement.

GEDI Minute Video