Natchez, MS (10/17/2018) – Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) announces Officers and Board of Directors for the 2018-2019 year. Natchez, Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ was named President-Elect for the 2018-2019 Year.
MEDC is a professional association of economic development, chambers and associated stakeholders who work together to advance the profession and to advance economic development efforts in Mississippi through advocacy, collaboration, education and by providing resources to its members. MEDC is the voice of the economic development profession in the state.
“The leadership that Chandler Russ will bring to MEDC will be invaluable. MEDC has 500 members and Chandler’s vision will help the fifty five year old organization grow even more. Chandler brings economic development experience to MEDC from the local, state and regional level which will be an asset as he leads our members.” Mary Swoope, Executive Director and COO of Mississippi Economic Development Council.
The MEDC 2018-2019 Officers are William Scaggs of West Point with North Mississippi Industrial Development Association as President; Chandler Russ of Natchez with Natchez, Inc. as President-Elect; Guy Johnson of Bay St. Louis with Coast Electric Power Association as Secretary/ Treasurer; and Cary Karlson of Greenville with the Washington County Economic Alliance as Immediate Past-President. The Vice Presidents are Valencia Williamson of Hattiesburg with Area Development Partnership as Vice President of Chamber Development; Allison Beasley of Gulfport with Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District as Vice President of Community Development; Mitch Stringer of Jackson with Cooperative Energy as Vice President of Economic Development; and Hunter Aycock of Tupelo with the Community Development Foundation as Vice President of Emerging Leaders.
“I am honored to have been elected by my peers and colleagues to lead this prestigious organization. I look forward to the challenges ahead and humbled by their confidence in me” Chandler Russ, Executive Director, Natchez, Inc.
The 2018-2019 Board Members are: Jim Flanagan of Hernando with DeSoto County Economic Development Foundation representing District 1; Clayton Stanley of Corinth with The Alliance representing District 2; Angela Curry of Greenwood with Greenwood Leflore Carroll Economic Development Foundation representing District 3; Craig Hitt of DeKalb with Kemper County Economic Development Authority representing District 4; Taurus Wright of Jackson with Entergy Mississippi, Inc. representing District 5; Garrick Combs of Brookhaven with Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber and IDF representing District 6; Lori Watts of Columbia with Marion County Development Partnership representing District 7; and Christine Pate of Pascagoula with Jackson County Economic Development Foundation. Brian Useforge of Gulfport with Mississippi Power Company and Brenda Lathan of Columbus with Columbus-Lowndes Development LINK are Members At-Large. Glenn McCullough, Jr. of Jackson with the Mississippi Development Authority as Ex-Officio Member.
