The 17-state Southern Economic Development Council, North America’s oldest and largest regional economic development association, has announced the hire of the organization’s first Director of Membership Engagement. Upon conclusion of a nationwide search, Clay Snowden was selected to lead Council membership engagement activities. Currently, Snowden directs operations at the Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED), where he implemented programs responsible for a 95% membership retention rate and significant new member growth. While at KAED, Snowden was instrumental in the development of successful investment strategies to support all Association pro-growth operations, including product development, marketing, and educative initiatives. Snowden also supported “KentuckyUnited,” a vehicle through which KAED members engage with site selectors and leaders within key target markets. Prior to KAED, Snowden led membership and industry outreach at the 900+ member Builders Exchange of Kentucky.

“SEDC members craft the future of economic development in the world’s third-largest equivalent economy,” stated SEDC President Matt Tackett. “As our Council of globally leading practitioners continues to expand, unleashing the intellectual capital within is critical to SEDC’s ability to impact progress and prosperity in the American South. I know firsthand Clay’s capacity to build and advance pro-growth forums, and fully expect him to intensify ROI-driven engagement across the Council service portfolio."

As Director of Membership Engagement, Snowden is tasked to enhance the experience of SEDC members, accelerate Council growth, and design and leverage world-class investment platforms for SEDC partners. “SEDC members set the global professional standard and are responsible for billions and billions of transformative investments,” stated Snowden. “Additionally, our network has strengthened families, communities, and businesses throughout our 17-state network and established the SEDC territory as the world’s premier investment location. I am honored to join and collaborate with this team of economy builders to move the needle further and faster in the American South.”

Snowden joins the Southern Economic Development Council on October 16. He can be reached at clay@sedc.org.