GEDI ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT OF LONG TIME STAFF MEMBER JULIA HEFLIN September 20, 2023

Jennifer Ryan

When Julia Heflin retires in November, she and her husband will finally get to enjoy their dream retirement home full-time, a home that, ironically, led her to work for Auburn University. Julia Berry graduated from Auburn with a degree in Public Relations in 1979 and after working as a Delta Flight Attendant for a while, married her college sweetheart, Hugo Heflin. Soon after, she quit her job to move to Newnan, Georgia and raise a family, son, Trey and daughter, Rachael. In 1995, life changed for the Heflin’s again, when they moved to Alabama. “Life is a clear testimony to God,” Heflin says. “One day you’re going one way, and then he turns you around in another direction”.

The Heflin’s settled in the Lake Martin area and dreamed of buying their retirement home on the lake, but to afford it, they both had to work hard. So, after years of being a stay-at-home mother, Julia went back to work. After working a few years at Stillwaters Resort, Julia found her way back to Auburn University, when in 1999 she joined the staff of The Center for Governmental Services as a Training Coordinator. Heflin says she fit right in and is grateful for the support she received in her years at Auburn. Doctor’s Jim Seroka, Maria Witte and Joe Sumners all offered encouragement and guidance that helped Heflin along the way, with Witte even pushing Heflin to obtain her master’s degree. Heflin did it, taking graduate courses while working full-time, and obtaining her Master of Education degree in 2003.

Heflin continued to rise at CGS and in 2015, when CGS merged with the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) to form the Government and Economic Development Institute (GEDI), Heflin continued her work managing educational programs and expanded the course offerings. As Heflin reflects on her 24 years in Auburn University Outreach, she is filled with gratitude and hope for the future. “I have learned so much from everyone who has impacted my life at Auburn, and I am excited about the direction GEDI is headed”, Heflin stated. “Under the direction of Jeremy Arthur and with a newly expanded training staff, GEDI is sure to create new programs to serve the needs of our elected officials and community leaders and expand upon our partnerships and past successes,” Heflin explained.

Heflin previously worked as Training Program Manager and was promoted to Manager of Outreach Programs in 2019. In this role, she managed all training unit employees, over 100 training, professional development and certification programs, hosted numerous conferences and traveled the state to support GEDI’s government and municipal partners. She has also served as Executive Director for the Alabama City/County Management Association (ACCMA). “Throughout her tenure working at what is now GEDI, Julia has led efforts to train, educate, and equip Alabamians with careers in the public sector with the tools, knowledge, and expertise they need to serve the great State of Alabama. Her dedication can be felt and seen in every county in the state. She has tirelessly worked to ensure Auburn University provided the highest quality education product for those served by GEDI. The results of her efforts can be seen in city halls, county courthouses, and every other government office from one end of the state to the other. She has left a mark for others to follow and set a standard that is second to none. As Julia begins a new chapter in retirement, we will miss her but know she will always be a part of our GEDI and Auburn University Outreach family,” said Jeremy Arthur, GEDI Director.

The staff at GEDI and Auburn University Outreach thank Julia for her years of exemplary work and dedicated service and wish her well in her retirement, spending well-deserved quality time with her family on Lake Martin. Heflin leaves behind an outstanding legacy of service to Auburn University, University Outreach, and the state of Alabama.