Candace C. Johnson joined the staff of The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development in October 2012 as the Tourism and Community Development Project Manager. In April of 2018, Candace was promoted to Tourism and Community Development Director.​ Candace’s work experience in public relations began in the communications department of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and later as the corporate administrator and marketing liaison for a four store retail corporation, The Children Shop, Inc., in Montgomery, Alabama. In 2006, Candace continued her work in the Alabama Black Belt at the Selma – Dallas County Centre for Commerce working closely with the Dallas County Economic Development Authority, the Selma- Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Selma. In 2008, Candace became the Tourism Director for Selma and Dallas County and began a marketing campaign to improve the outreach of Selma Tourism, cultivating into the premiere edition visitor’s guide, redesign of the tourism website, hospitality guide for the area and creation of regional trails. Candace has a B.A. in Communication (2003) from Auburn University Montgomery.