Nicole Jones Wadsworth is an economic developer, mediator, and commercial real estate professional from Alabama. Her career has been built around one focus: helping communities grow.
Nicole earned multiple degrees, including a PhD, MBA, and a Master of Science in Acquisition and Contract Management. She is also a Certified Alabama Planning and Zoning Official. In 2017, she became the first person in North Alabama to earn the EDAA Leadership Certification, a program created by the Economic Development Association of Alabama and Auburn University.
She is the founder of Jones Wadsworth, a consulting firm that works with businesses on site selection and economic development. She also leads Jones Wadsworth CRE, which focuses on commercial property sales, leasing, and tenant representation, and Jones Wadsworth Mediation, which provides solutions for business and property disputes.
Nicole has visited all 67 counties in Alabama more than 25 times. She works directly with business owners, civic leaders, and residents to understand local needs. Her approach combines data, strategy, and real conversations with people. She has helped recruit and retain industries that support jobs across the state.
Her work has been recognized through the I Shop Local campaign and as a finalist for the Russell Brown Executive Leadership Award. She has served on boards such as the F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum and the Heart of the Valley YMCA.
Nicole is married to Tim Wadsworth, an attorney and member of the Alabama House of Representatives. Together, they are active in projects that focus on service, growth, and legacy.
Q&A: Nicole Jones Wadsworth on the Meaning of Success
You often say success is about building communities. What does that mean to you in practice?
Success means creating opportunities that allow people to thrive where they live. For me, that has looked like working with small towns to recruit industries, or helping a rural county secure a new medical facility. In Alabama, every county has its own character. I’ve been to all 67 counties more than 25 times, and the patterns are clear: when local people have jobs and resources at home, communities stay strong.
You’ve worked in economic development and commercial real estate. What lessons about success have you taken from those fields?
One lesson is patience. Projects don’t happen overnight. Recruiting a factory or revitalizing a downtown can take years. Success also means balance—you have to read data and financial reports, but you also need to talk with residents at their kitchen tables. Numbers tell one part of the story. People tell the rest.
What obstacles have you faced, and how have they shaped your view of success?
Anytime you challenge the status quo, you face resistance. I’ve had projects where leaders were hesitant, not because the idea was wrong, but because change felt uncomfortable. For example, when we pushed a local shopping initiative through the I Shop Local campaign, some doubted people would shift their habits. But over time, it helped show the impact of keeping dollars in local communities. Success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about staying consistent until the results are clear.
You’ve earned multiple degrees and certifications. How do you connect education to your idea of success?
Education gave me the tools to understand contracts, policies, and development strategies. My PhD and MBA gave me a strong framework, but my certifications—like the EDAA Leadership Certification—taught me how to apply knowledge in real Alabama communities. Success here isn’t just about academic credentials. It’s about using those credentials to solve problems in places where resources are limited.
Can you share a moment in your career that felt like success in action?
One that stands out is when a rural community was at risk of losing its only major employer. We worked with local leaders to renegotiate tax agreements and update infrastructure. It wasn’t a flashy project, but it saved hundreds of jobs. For me, that was success—quietly helping a town keep its lifeline. Another moment was when my son caught a football at Alabama’s A-Day game. That wasn’t about work, but it reminded me that success is also about family memories and legacy.
Many people define success in personal terms. How do faith and family shape your own definition?
My faith is central. It reminds me that success is service, not just achievement. My husband, Tim, serves in the Alabama House of Representatives, and we often bring our children to community projects. We want them to see that hard work and giving back are part of life. Legacy isn’t only about buildings or businesses—it’s about the values we pass on.
You’ve mentioned food insecurity as an issue you care about. How does that connect to your idea of success?
Food insecurity is a barrier to opportunity. If families don’t know where their next meal is coming from, it’s hard to focus on jobs or education. Supporting food banks across the state is a way to remove that barrier. Success, in that context, is making sure people have the basics so they can pursue bigger goals.
What advice would you give someone in Alabama—or anywhere—who wants to define success for themselves?
Start with your community. Ask what people around you need, then think about how your skills can help. Success isn’t only about personal advancement—it’s about contribution. Also, don’t be afraid of the long timeline. I remind people that real change can take years. But if you stay visible, stay grounded, and keep showing up, the results will come.
You travel widely across Alabama. What perspective has that given you on success?
It showed me that success looks different in different places. In Birmingham, success might mean attracting a new tech company. In a rural county, success might mean keeping a family farm viable for another generation. That diversity is what makes Alabama unique. Success has to be defined locally, not with a one-size-fits-all standard.
Looking ahead, what kind of success do you hope to see in Alabama’s future?
I hope to see every county equipped with the tools to grow. That means modern infrastructure, fair access to healthcare, strong schools, and industries that create sustainable jobs. Success won’t look like a single big project. It will look like steady, meaningful progress that reaches people where they are.