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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Shelby County Commission Manager
Chad Scroggins and Alex Dudchock at the Shelby County Commission office on March 9.
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Photo by Erin Nelson.
Shelby County Commission
Incoming Shelby County manager Chad Scroggins listens as residents raise concerns about a proposed toll bridge during the Shelby County Commission meeting in Columbiana on Feb. 24.
Sitting in a room at the County Services Building just weeks before his official retirement, County Manager Alex Dudchock and his successor, Chad Scroggins, share a rapport of not only co-workers, but also friends.
The two have an obvious level of respect for one another, and a desire solely to serve the county to the best of their abilities. The two have worked together for 17 years and while they have similarities, their personalities are different. Dudchock is animated and excited, while Scroggins is more quiet and reserved. Even though their approaches are different, their culture and philosophies are very similar.
As of his last day, March 31, Dudchock accumulated 30 years and three months of public service to Shelby County. Initially hired for the personnel director position in 1988, he left to work for Bill Harbert International for a few years before he was recruited back, at age 28, to be the first county manager in the state.
“When I started out as county manager, there were areas that I did not have a lot of experience in and had to learn them, but I couldn’t see the lack of immediate knowledge as an excuse not to get the job done,” Dudchock said.
Commissioner Lindsey Allison has worked with both men for their entire tenures and said that Dudchock has a phenomenal character and what he has created for the county is a positive corporate culture that prioritizes the citizens of Shelby County and service.
“Alex hired Chad and has basically found someone that thinks and manages very similar to what he has done, and it’s creating this culture where you are there to be a public servant and it’s not about your getting credit, but doing the right thing and serving the people. I see two people leading our country that have very similar servant culture type attitudes.”
Scroggins has been with the county since 2003 and brings 17 years of experience to the county manager’s position. It was actually Dudchock who hired him all those years ago to be the county’s Environmental Supervisor. He was promoted to Environmental Manager and Manager of Development Services/Chief Development Officer. He said had he not interviewed with Dudchock, he would’ve never taken the job.
“When I applied for the job, I had my preconceived notions about what working for a county government looked like,” he said. “I came in and sat in Alex’s office and learned about him and his initiative and desire and that’s the point I walked out of there thinking ‘This is a place I would like to work. It was not until I met Alex that I was even sold.”
Dudchock said there was no pre-discussion with Scroggins that he was retiring, that he learned about it the same time the County Commission did.
“The County Commission had a chance to try him out because he was heading up the most diverse operation in all of our business and that’s invaluable,” Dudchock said.
Scroggins has been getting on the job training from Dudchock for the past nine months as he prepared to take over the role. During the June meeting where he was approved to take over the position, Commissioner Jon Parker said they found the best person for the job.
Allison said that Dudchock was good at bringing people up into leadership roles and made sure that there would be a smooth transition when he retired, and he planned for it.
The role of county manager is quite extensive. It includes managing diverse departments and services, such as Juvenile Detention, Personnel Services, Business Revenue and License Offices, Community Services and facilities including the airport, Water Services and Building Codes and Land/Development Regulations.
Allison said that what people need to appreciate is that the role of county manager is basically that of the CEO of a major corporation. Shelby County has close to 700 direct employees and over 200 indirect employees.
“How often do you see in the public sector with a nine-member board where you’ve got someone who has established a phenomenal legacy of this culture of servitude and the person filling the position right behind him with the same demeanor and approach?” Allison said. “I think for the citizens of Shelby County it is fabulous.”
Scroggins said Dudchock has provided many opportunities and challenges for him during his tenure and said the thing he appreciates most about Dudchock is his ability to look for a way to say yes.
“So many people look for ways to say no, and Alex is always asking how we can serve them,” he said. “Alex has set an example every day he’s worked here for all 30 years and three months.”
As county manager, Scroggins said he wants to try to find efficiencies and ways to continuously improve and to meet the needs where they need to be met.
Dudchock was honored by the commission at their March 9 meeting in recognition of his extraordinary service and leadership. The resolution listed many of his accomplishments, including:
- Rendered distinguished service to Shelby County residents for more than 30 years providing steadfast leadership and visionary planning to improve their quality of life.
- Ensured a financially responsible government while developing innovative programs, directing targeted investments and fostering enduring partnerships.
- Wrote the legislatively approved Civil Service Act in 1992
- Led five major public water system projects.
- Worked on more than 300 new public facility improvements or upgrades, 11 major highway, bridge and intersection improvements, 105 hangars at the Shelby County Airport and managing critical financial assets.
- Improved and maintained the county’s exceptional credit position with Moody’s AAA rating.
- Consistently listened to the needs of residents, businesses and area agencies to improve the quality of life in Shelby County by creating sustainable programs and public facilities.
- Improved and expanded parks and recreational opportunities by leveraging local tourism dollars and grant programs of more than $8 million new and renovated projects.
- Developed unprecedented partnerships and collaborations with municipalities, state agencies and local leaders to create a community with a shared vision of excellence.
Even after his retirement, Dudchock still plans to continue serving on the board of Central Alabama Wellness, the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Shelby County Chamber.
He said he plans to “take a couple of weeks off” and may work part-time in a general manager role and doing consulting work.
“My goal is to have a more narrow focus while still helping people, processes and improvements but not have a 24/7 responsibility for life safety,” he said.
That responsibility will now rest on Scroggins’ shoulders. Each day on the job will present a new set of challenges, but he is looking forward to it.
“I want to build on all of the success and accomplishments Alex started from 1988 to now,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to build on what’s working.”
