The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), North America’s oldest and largest regional economic development association representing 17 states and the world’s best economic developers, will welcome newly elected leaders to the Council Board of Directors in 2027.

Newly elected State Directors are Lacey Bacchus of Retail Strategies (Alabama), Keith Norden of Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation (Florida), Zach McHatton of the City of Newton (Kansas), Bethany Quinn of Golden Shovel Agency (Maryland), Hunter Aycock of Community Development Foundation (Mississippi), Lindsay Dennis of the Development Corporation of Abilene (Texas), Heather Simmons Jones of MRB Group (South Carolina), and Jen Kostyniuk of Dominion Energy (Virginia).

Newly elected Alternate Directors are Shelley Short of Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance (Arkansas), Courtland Robinson of Brasfield & Gorrie (Georgia), Danny Chavez of Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (Maryland), Larkin Simpson of Madison County Economic Development Authority (Mississippi), Ron Kitchens of Greater St. Louis, Inc. (Missouri), Mary Lesa Pegg of Norfolk Southern (North Carolina), Amber Miller of Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation (Oklahoma), Anna Bradford of Forcum Lannom (Tennessee), Jessica Trew of Hillsboro Economic Development Corporation (Texas), David Broussard of England Economic and Industrial Development District (Louisiana), John O'Toole of Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation (South Carolina), Jody Lassiter of CSX (Kentucky), and John Kilgore of Scott County Economic Development Authority (Virginia).

State Directors are slated to serve two-year terms, and Alternate Directors serve one-year terms. All newly elected Directors will begin terms on January 1, 2027.

Joe Hines of Timmons Group was elected Chairman of the SEDC Board of Directors. Upon election, Hines stated, "SEDC is stronger than ever, thanks to our remarkable members, partnerships, and shared expertise that drive our mission forward. As we look toward 2027, we will continue to leverage SEDC’s social and intellectual capital to strengthen and amplify the voice of economic development across the American South. I am honored to lead this effort and look forward to launching new initiatives that further position the American South as the global leader in economic development."

2027 SEDC Chairman Joe Hines addresses Council at 2026 SEDC Annual Conference

Joining Chairman Hines on the 2027 SEDC Executive Committee are newly elected 1st Vice-Chair Chris Masingill of Louisiana Central, 2nd Vice-Chair Lindsay Theobald of Obion County (Tennessee) Joint Economic Development Corporation, and Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Farlow of Strategic Location Advisors. Upon completion of a historic term, Tim Weston of Brasfield & Gorrie will assume the Immediate Past-Chair position. Further, Kellen Riley of CSX, Vance Mitchell of Solid Ground Consulting Engineers, and James Oltman of Elevate Edgerton! (Kansas) were elected to the Executive Committee to serve as Regional Directors, representing the Council’s three geographic sectors. Executive Officers will assume their respective roles on January 1, 2027.

Newly elected leaders join the following professionals on the 2027 SEDC Board of Directors: Gary Troutman (Arkansas), Ben McDaniel of the Development Authority of Walton County (Georgia), Cathleen Flournoy of Norfolk Southern (Missouri), Joe Melvin of North Carolina's Southeast, Andrea Anderson of Ardmore Development Authority (Oklahoma), Michael Guadarrama of ARCO/Murray (Tennessee), Mandi Mitchell of Lafayette Economic Development Authority (Louisiana), and Terrell Ellis of Advantage Valley (West Virginia).

“SEDC members continue to set the global standard for economic development by creating opportunity and building the world-class business environments that define the American South,” said Council President Matt Tackett. “Our incoming leadership reflects the depth and expertise of the network that has helped establish the American South as the world’s third-largest economy and unrivaled investment destination. We congratulate and thank all for their continued commitment to our members, our communities, and the prosperity of the region. Together, we will build on our extraordinary foundation to protect and advance the American South’s global economic leadership while stewarding the legacy of our historic Council.”

For more information about the Southern Economic Development Council, visit www.SEDC.org.