Committees

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Annual Conference Committee

This committee will work with staff to plan and execute the Annual Conference. Committee assistance is needed in securing sponsorships, planning of educational sessions as well as offsite and special events during the conference. The 2024 conference will be held this July in Savannah.

  • Jana Dyke
    Jana Dyke
    Georgia Certified Economic Development Professional President & CEO Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission
    Chair
  • Andrea Anderson
    Andrea Anderson
    Vice President of Economic Development Ardmore Development Authority
    Member
  • Matthew Darius
    Matthew Darius
    Executive Director | Operations Southern Economic Development Council
    Member
  • Matt Tackett
    Matt Tackett
    President Southern Economic Development Council
    Member

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee will create SEDC publications, both printed and electronic, that meet the specific needs of our members.  In partnership with the SEDC staff, committee members will also evaluate the association's technological capabilities to ensure SEDC is providing the best external communications possible.

Additional subcommittees may be development to carry out certain tasks like editing copy, managing social media, developing content, and leveraging technology. These committees will also assist other committees in delivering their messages to the SEDC membership.

  • Kevin Johnson
    Kevin Johnson
    Senior Director of Marketing & Sales Enablement HJ Russell
    Chair
  • Gus Fontenot
    Gus Fontenot
    Director of Site Selection and Special Projects SWLA Economic Development Alliance
    Member
  • Jen Kostyniuk
    Jen Kostyniuk
    Senior Director, Economic Development Dominion Energy
    Member
  • Linda Mosely
    Linda Mosely
    CEO/Publisher 365 Degree Total Marketing
    Member
  • Jack Petr
    Jack Petr
    Business Development Specialist Marketing Alliance, Inc.
    Member
  • Maria Satira
    Maria Satira
    Director of Marketing and Communications Greenville - ENC Alliance
    Member
  • Heath Slapikas
    Heath Slapikas
    Director of Digital Marketing 365 Degree Total Marketing
    Member
  • Mark Weilenman
    Mark Weilenman
    National Sales Director Insyteful
    Member
  • Stacey Zawacki
    Stacey Zawacki
    Director of Communications Lafayette Economic Development Authority
    Member

Education Committee

This committee will evaluate the needs of our members for the educational resources that will best equip them in the profession.  They will also provide direction to the various committees with responsibility in planning meetings and providing online educational content. They will be tasked with forward thinking in examining the professional development needs of our members moving into the future.

  • Burdette (Pete) Fullerton
    Burdette (Pete) Fullerton
    PhD, EDFP, CEcD, PCED, HLM Deputy Director KC Aviation Department
    Chair
  • John Cheney
    John Cheney
    Director of Business Development TTL, Inc.
    Member
  • Kim K. Denton
    Kim K. Denton
    CEcD TCED Program Director University of Tennessee
    Member
  • Karen Dickson
    Karen Dickson
    CEcD, MPA Economic Development Manager Lower Colorado River Authority
    Member
  • Shelby Fiegel
    Shelby Fiegel
    Director Community Development Institute Arkansas
    Member
  • Michael Guadarrama
    Michael Guadarrama
    Economic Engagement Manager ARCO/Murray National Construction Company
    Member
  • Caroline Harrelson
    Caroline Harrelson
    The Retail Coach
    Member
  • Ashley Llewellyn
    Ashley Llewellyn
    M.S., CLED Director of Strategic Initiatives St. Tammany Corporation
    Member
  • Thomas Long
    Thomas Long
    CEcD Vice President Temple Economic Development Corporation
    Member

FDI Committee

The SEDC Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Committee stands at the forefront of the Southern Economic Development Council's efforts to attract and manage foreign investments in the region. Comprising a team of seasoned professionals with expertise in finance, international relations, and economic development, the committee plays a strategic role in enhancing the economic vitality and global competitiveness of the southeastern communities.

  • Courtland Robinson
    Courtland Robinson
    MPA Business Recruitment Brasfield & Gorrie
    Chair
  • Matthias Beier
    Matthias Beier
    President & CEO Transatlantic Business & Investment Council
    Member
  • Ron Bertasi
    Ron Bertasi
    CEO GIS Web Tech
    Member
  • Richard Blackwell
    Richard Blackwell
    SCCED, MPA, EcDMP Vice President of Development Agracel
    Member
  • Uconda Dunn
    Uconda Dunn
    Vice President, Business Development Greenville - ENC Alliance
    Member
  • Terrell Ellis
    Terrell Ellis
    Executive Director Advantage Valley Inc.
    Member
  • Caroline Frey
    Caroline Frey
    Counsel Parker Poe
    Member
  • Allison Gamez Pickerel
    Allison Gamez Pickerel
    Senior Manager, Business Development Operations Gray Construction
    Member
  • Michael Guadarrama
    Michael Guadarrama
    Economic Engagement Manager ARCO/Murray National Construction Company
    Member
  • Jacob Hickman
    Jacob Hickman
    Chick-fil-A One Red Member National Manager - Industrial Terracon
    Member
  • Heather Simmons Jones
    Heather Simmons Jones
    SCCED Director of Southeast Operations MRB Group
    Member
  • Ron Kitchens
    Ron Kitchens
    Chief Executive Officer Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce
    Member
  • Chris Knight
    Chris Knight
    COO
    Member
  • Jody Lassiter
    Jody Lassiter
    JD, MEDP Manager, Industrial Development CSX Transportation, Inc.
    Member
  • Thomas Long
    Thomas Long
    CEcD Vice President Temple Economic Development Corporation
    Member
  • Robert Long
    Robert Long
    CEcD Director Chester County Economic Development
    Member
  • Ashley McIntyre
    Ashley McIntyre
    Business Development Bennett & Pless
    Member
  • Raul Peralta
    Raul Peralta
    Senior VP - Business Development ECS Southeast, LLC
    Member
  • Bruce Takefman
    Bruce Takefman
    President Research FDI
    Member
  • Casey Verburg
    Casey Verburg
    Senior Economic Developer- Industrial
    Member
  • Charlton Whipple
    Charlton Whipple
    SCCED, MSED, MEDP, HLM VP, Director of Business Development ECS Southeast, LLC
    Member

Meet the Consultants Committee

This committee will work with staff to plan and execute the Annual Meet the Consultants Conference. Committee assistance is needed in securing sponsorships, planning of educational sessions as well as offsite and special events during the conference. The 2024 conference will be held in Atlanta, GA this April.

  • Jana Dyke
    Jana Dyke
    Georgia Certified Economic Development Professional President & CEO Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission
    Chair
  • Tim Weston
    Tim Weston
    Vice President Brasfield & Gorrie
    Co-Chair
  • Matthew Darius
    Matthew Darius
    Executive Director | Operations Southern Economic Development Council
    Member
  • Matt Tackett
    Matt Tackett
    President Southern Economic Development Council
    Member

Membership Committee

This committee will be charged with developing and implementing a formal membership recruitment and retention campaign for the membership year.  Activities will involve anyone with interest from the membership with the Board of Directors playing a lead role.

  • Richard Blackwell
    Richard Blackwell
    SCCED, MPA, EcDMP Vice President of Development Agracel
    Chair
  • Adam Gawarecki
    Adam Gawarecki
    President & CEO San Patricio County EDC
    Member
  • Lindsay Theobald
    Lindsay Theobald
    CEcD, IOM CEO Obion County Joint Economic Development Corporation
    Member
  • Jack Thomas
    Jack Thomas
    Vice President, Economic Development Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce
    Member

Past Chairman Committee

Comprised of Past Chairmen, this committee works with to obtain suggestions and ideas for use by the SEDC Board of Directors to benefit the organization. The committee meets annually at the Past Chairmen’s breakfast during the Annual Conference.

  • Brian Gwin
    Brian Gwin
    Sr. Industrial Development Manager Norfolk Southern Corporation
    Chair
  • Bob Helton
    Bob Helton
    Retired
    Member
  • Frank McCrady
    Frank McCrady
    President/CEO East Montgomery County Improvement District
    Member
  • Scott Poag
    Scott Poag
    CEcD Director of Business Development Yates Construction
    Member
  • Will Williams
    Will Williams
    SCCED, EcDMP President/CEO Western SC Economic Development Partnership
    Member

Research and Grant Committee

The SEDC (Southeastern Development Consortium) Research and Grant Committee serves as a dynamic and pivotal hub within the organization, dedicated to fostering innovation, scholarly inquiry, and sustainable development initiatives across the southeastern region. Comprising a diverse team of experts with backgrounds in academia, industry, and public service, the committee collaboratively navigates the complex landscape of research and grants to propel the SEDC's mission forward.

  • Chris Masingill
    Chris Masingill
    Chief Executive Officer St. Tammany Corporation
    Chair
  • Matthew Adkins
    Matthew Adkins
    Executive Director Kentucky I-71 Economic Development Alliance
    Member
  • Ron Bertasi
    Ron Bertasi
    CEO GIS Web Tech
    Member
  • Shane Chadwick
    Shane Chadwick
    MSED Business Intelligence and Marketing Manager Florida's Great Northwest
    Member
  • Kendra Hayden
    Kendra Hayden
    Director of Community & Economic Development Smyth County
    Member
  • Heather Simmons Jones
    Heather Simmons Jones
    SCCED Director of Southeast Operations MRB Group
    Member
  • Tanner Jones
    Tanner Jones
    Associate Director of Planning Steadfast City Economic & Community Partners
    Member
  • Ashlyn Shrewsbury
    Ashlyn Shrewsbury
    Economic Development Manager Mount Rogers Regional Partnership
    Member
  • Lindsay Theobald
    Lindsay Theobald
    CEcD, IOM CEO Obion County Joint Economic Development Corporation
    Member
  • John Zakian
    John Zakian
    Senior Vice President Grantworks, Inc.
    Member

State Association Committee

This committee works with state economic development associations in the SEDC 17-state region to provide unique opportunities for networking and the sharing of information.  Members of this committee will have access to a variety of specialized information including economic data, organizational benchmarks, and educational resources.  They’ll also be able to share in a database of conference agendas from various state association meetings that will help them develop their own program ideas.  (Committee participation is open to representatives designated by their state associations)

  • Grant Cagle
    Grant Cagle
    President and CEO Georgia Economic Developers Association
    Co-Chair
  • Liz Dobbins-Smith
    Liz Dobbins-Smith
    Managing Director North Carolina Economic Developers Association
    Co-Chair

Young Professionals Committee

This committee is designed for our SEDC members, age 40 or below and members new to the industry. The committee plans a separate event each year for professional development and other events for networking. Events are held throughout the year at the SEDC’s planned events. 

  • Tyler Chaffee
    Tyler Chaffee
    Target Market Specialist TVA
    Chair