A top employee at Wilmington Business Development is retiring, officials said in an email this week.

Billy King, director of business development at WBD, is slated to retire Dec. 31, according to the economic development organization, which oversees business recruitment and industrial retention in Wilmington and New Hanover and Pender counties.

In 2007, King accepted the director of business development position at WBD, officials said. Prior to his WBD role, he had a 37-year career with BellSouth, now AT&T.

“He worked on the frontline of economic development projects as well as in corporate, community and government affairs,” WBD stated in the email.

He also worked with the University of North Carolina Wilmington in an economic development capacity between 2006 and 2007, officials said.

King has served WBD in several capacities from existing industry support and developing partners, to supporting many projects in New Hanover and Pender counties.

He had a hand in the recruitment of major job creators in WBD’s territory, including Acme Smoked Fish, Mojotone, Edge-Works Manufacturing Co., National Gypsum and most recently, Polyhose Inc.

India-based Polyhose Inc. announced in November plans to build a 40,000-square-foot facility in Pender Commerce Park, which will serve as its North American headquarters. The company plans to create 51 jobs and make nearly $8 million in investment.

“Billy’s level of commitment to our clients and members is what he will be remembered for,” said Scott Satterfield, CEO of WBD, in the email. “His dedication and enthusiasm for the meaningful work that we do every day is unparalleled. He may be retiring but he will always be an owner and shareholder in WBD.”

Cliff Pyron, WBD’s senior manager of business development, has been training with King for the past 10 months. Pyron joined WBD in February after leaving his post at N.C. Ports.

“Billy has been instrumental in a key transition for WBD, bringing Cliff Pyron on board and preparing him for his new role as director of business development,” Satterfield said.

Once King retires, the team at WBD will include Satterfield, Pyron, Susie Parker, office manager, and Susan Herring, executive assistant.

“After working for years in economic development with different organizations, I can confidently say that no local program does it like WBD,” King said in the email. “I leave an organization that without question operates at the highest level of performance and integrity that I’ve had the privilege to be around.”