What is your name?

Jody Lassiter

Where do you work and what is your job title?

CSX Transportation, Inc.; Manager, Industrial Development (KY-MD-VA-WV-DC)

How long have you been in economic development?

26 years

How did you get started in economic development?

I was appointed by Governor Paul Patton as Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Local Government (DLG) in October 2000. DLG is Kentucky's primary state community development agency that administers multiple federal (CDBG, EDA, ARC, DRA, etc.) and state funding programs for community and economic development projects across the Commonwealth. After the conclusion of my service, I desired to continue my career in economic development at the community level rather than returning to law practice.

Tell us how your community is great.

For the past five years, I have been honored to continue my career in economic development as a member of the CSX Industrial Development team. This small but mighty crew of seven state industrial development managers and four site design engineers are best-in-class professionals that are "can do" economic development partners serving 26 eastern US states plus parts of two Canadian provinces with a current pipeline of over 600 industrial development projects!

How has being a member of SEDC benefited you?

SEDC always has been a fantastically fun way to network with so many top-shelf economic development colleagues from across the South while offering some of the most meaningful professional content and information at its conferences than any other national association with which I have been involved.

What is something you/your organization has accomplished that you are most proud of?

I was proud to be part of a broad-based team of state, local, utility, and rail partners that successfully landed Nucor Steel in Apple Grove, West Virginia, in 2022. At its announcement, this transformative project was one of the largest in investment ($4 bil) and job creation (800) in West Virginia's history. It was also my very first project after joining the CSX Industrial Development team! Nucor's steel mill is on schedule to begin production in early 2027.

Where is your favorite spot in your community and why?

Boogie Knight's, a dive bar in downtown Danville, KY; not only is owner Justin Fletcher the best bartender in the area, he makes one of the best Old Fashioneds I've ever had. (And, if you know me, you know I'm an expert taster of Old Fashioneds ... !)

What is a current podcast or book you would recommend?

Book: History by a Hair: Thomas Jefferson, Sally Hemings & Solving a 200-Year-Old Mystery by Richard Kurin

What is your guilty pleasure TV show?

The Big Bang Theory

What is something you do in your free time?

Genealogical research of my family ancestry.

When you were younger, what did you envision yourself being when you grew up?

President of the United States of America!

Who is on your Economic Development Mount Rushmore?

Former Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton, who taught me the work of economic development by his example and leadership.