On a sunny Monday afternoon in mid-November, as coworkers filled a conference room at TARCOG with balloons, proclamations, and decades of stories, Del Schafer—who had every reason to sit back and enjoy the celebration—leaned over and said, “I’ve got work to do this afternoon.”
It was the most Del thing he could have said.
For half a century, Del has been the steady, relentless force helping process the millions of dollars in grants that have shaped communities across DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Marshall counties. Splash pads, senior centers, infrastructure upgrades, community centers, emergency equipment—you name it, Del likely helped write or administer the grant that made it possible.
But if you ask him about his impact, he’ll wave off the praise with a shy smile and call the fuss “over the top.” For an introvert who prefers spreadsheets to spotlights, Monday’s celebration was overwhelming: proclamations arrived from Gov. Kay Ivey; Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; Arab Mayor Bob Joslin; Geraldine Mayor Chuck Ables; the Madison County Commission and Commissioner Violet Edwards; and Athens City Councilman and TARCOG Board President James Lucas.
Two municipalities declared it “Del Schafer Day.” The City of Arab—always creative—went further, proclaiming it “Splashpad Del Schafer Day.”
Still, Del insisted he didn’t deserve the attention. But the room full of family, colleagues, friends, and former coworkers—some of whom drove hours to surprise him—knew better.
A Beginning He Never Forgot
His story with TARCOG began on Nov. 17, 1975. Back then, the staff was tiny and worked from a cramped space in the Central Bank Building downtown. Del remembers his first morning vividly: he drove—out of habit—to his old job, walked to the door, and only then realized he needed to be somewhere else. He hurried to his Volkswagen, headed to TARCOG, and still arrived early.
He has been showing up ever since.
Del carries with him an entire era of local government lore. At a city council meeting once, he noticed men outside holding rifles, with another propped inside the room. It was simply the first day of turkey season. Another day, a pistol slipped out of someone’s overalls mid-meeting. And once, a public official challenged him to a fistfight in the parking lot.
“OK, but then can we get back in here and finish this grant?” Del said. The mayor smiled, then laughed, they finished – and won the grant.
These stories, colorful and memorable, are told with Del’s trademark modesty. He’s far more eager to talk about the town and city clerk’s he’s worked with over the decades—people who “care about their communities” and routinely go above and beyond.
The Colleagues He’s Helped Along the Way
During a luncheon before the celebration, the generational contrast was striking — not a single member of the Economic Development & Planning staff had been born when Del started at TARCOG. Some had never even seen or used a floppy disk.
But what they have seen—what they rely on—is Del’s institutional memory. His ability to recall what worked, what didn’t, who tried what solution in what year, and how it all fits together.
“Del’s celebration showed me what can happen by being dedicated to a career path for so long,” said Marley Hicks, senior planner. “He has truly seen it all—the growth, decline, and resilience of what can happen at a job.”
James King, associate planner, said it would be nice if everyone could be more like Del.
“His authenticity is refreshing, and I very much enjoy hearing him speak about his past experiences,” James said. “The things that man has seen could easily make up its own book. In fact, given how much Huntsville and regional history he’s witnessed, it would be fantastic to hear more recounting of how this region was built into what it is today.”
The team’s newest member, Jennifer Dummer, grants administrator, added she appreciates his knowledge and guidance.
“He is always willing to help, and it saves time on things that might have otherwise taken awhile to track down,” Jennifer said.
Their director, Lee Terry, summed it up simply: “Having someone with Del’s depth of experience and institutional knowledge is invaluable.”
“I am so thankful for Del,” added Economic Development Coordinator Leslie Wright. “He has helped me, taught me so much, and I don’t hesitate to call on him.”
Family, Honors, and a New Award
While his daughter Meredith Carr from Mobile couldn’t make it up for the event, Del’s wife, Shauna, his daughter Katie, and son-in-law Joe Indeck, watched as one tribute after another rolled in. Katie put it best: “My dad is awesome.”
For Executive Director Michelle Gilliam Jordan, that moment said it all.
“When your child says something like that about you,” she said, “that’s everything.”
Michelle also unveiled a surprise: a new honor, the Del Schafer Service Award, created specifically to recognize individuals who embody Del’s dedication to service. Fittingly, Del became its first recipient.
Not Done Yet
Some guests thought the event was a retirement party. Del quickly set the record straight: he isn’t retiring.
He’s not done. Far from it.
He still writes and wins grants. He recently reviewed 10 grant applications for a state agency. And if you send him an email—weeknight, weekend, holiday—he’ll probably answer.
“He’s always on his computer,” his wife Shauna said.
Michelle calls Del a rarity in today’s workforce: an employee with decades of service who hasn’t lost an ounce of drive.
“He sets a great example for our team,” she said, “and we’re so proud to have him.”
A Legacy in Motion
The celebration was about honoring Del’s past. But it was also about recognizing something deeper: the power of one determined, humble person to leave a lasting mark on an entire region.
Del has spent 50 years building other people’s visions. He’s written grants that brought joy to children, safety to first responders, and opportunity to small towns fighting to grow. He did it all quietly, without expecting applause.
And now, for at least one day—and likely many more—those communities returned the favor.
Because the truth is simple: North Alabama is better because Del Schafer showed up. And he’s still showing up.
