Three finalists for the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission presidency became, through attrition, one Friday, leaving the EDC with the man who’s been interim president since former top man Ted Clem left in February, and the one — some board members privately said — they wanted all along.

But the committee involved in the search for the new EDC head said the withdrawal of two of three finalists does not diminish the strength of last-man-standing Justin Strickland, who could be confirmed as president after an interview with a seven-member EDC Presidential Search Committee April 22.

“Right now, I’m just looking forward to that interview, to speaking with the members of the Search Committee about the EDC,” Strickland said late Friday. “My goal is to move our organization forward.”

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