Southern Business & Development is continuing its year-long celebration of 30 years of publishing and reporting on economic development in the South with its “Economic Development Rock Stars of the South” from 1993-2023. It is being followed in this issue by “Southern Economic Development Legends.” Those will be inducted at SB&D’s Rural South Economic Development Summit in August in Cleveland, Miss.
We began our 30th anniversary series with a detailed 30-year timeline of the most important economic development stories to emerge in the South from 1993-2023. You can go to sb-d.com to view that timeline.
Part 1
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Georgia
Here, we are featuring the first of three issues of “Economic Development Rock Stars” in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Georgia. Other editions this year will cover the other nine Southern states. The “economic development rock stars” feature (1993-2023) will also be displayed on all of our websites for years to come.
Criteria for naming economic development rock stars
SB&D has a long history of visiting and working with economic developers throughout the South. We have a 30-year database on project activity in each Southern state. The capture of significant projects in the last 30 years is the primary criteria for choosing our “Economic Development Rock Stars of the South,” 1993-2023. Enjoy!
Angela Till Alabama Department of Commerce
David Echols Alabama Department of Commerce
Greg Canfield Alabama Department of Commerce
Hollie Pegg Alabama Department of Commerce
Linda Swann Alabama Department of Commerce
Neal Wade Alabama Department of Commerce
Seth Hammett Alabama Department of Commerce
Anthony Topazi Alabama Power
Elmer Harris Alabama Power
Ken Novak Alabama Power
Leigh Davis Alabama Power
Patrick Murphy Alabama Power
Lee Lawson Baldwin County, Ala. EDA
Robert Ingram Baldwin County, Ala. EDA
Mickey Harbin BellSouth-AT&T
Emily Jerkins Hall Birmingham Business Alliance
Ron Kitchens Birmingham Business Alliance
David Hutchison Butler County, Ala. CED
David Thornell C3 of Northwest Alabama
Tom Wisemiller C3 of Northwest Alabama
Don Hopper Calhoun County, Ala. EDC
Valerie Gray Chambers County, Ala. Development Authority
Phillip Dunlap City of Auburn, Ala. Economic Development
Greg Knighton City of Hoover, Ala. Economic Development
Al Cook City of Opelika, Ala. Economic Development
Lori Huguley City of Opelika, Ala. Economic Development
Wiley Blankenship Coastal Alabama Partnership
Rick Clifton Covington County, Ala. EDC
Tucson Roberts Covington County, Ala. EDC
Dale Greer Cullman County, Ala. Economic Development
Peggy Smith Cullman County, Ala. Economic Development
Jimmy Durham DeKalb County, Ala. EDA
Matt Parker Dothan, Ala. Area Chamber
Bill Taylor Economic Development Partnership of Alabama
Greg Barker Economic Development Partnership of Alabama
Steve Sewell Economic Development Partnership of Alabama
Steve Spencer Economic Development Partnership of Alabama
Cary Cox Elmore County, Ala. EDA
Leisa Finley Elmore County, Ala. EDA
Mitch Mays Franklin County, Ala. EDA
David Hooks Gadsden-Etowah County, Ala. IDA
Mike McCain Gadsden-Etowah County, Ala. IDA
Paul Meloun Gadsden-Etowah County, Ala. IDA
William R. Greene II Gadsden-Etowah County, Ala. IDA
Brian Hilson Huntsville-Madison County, Ala. Chamber
Lucia Cape Huntsville-Madison County, Ala. Chamber
Dus Rogers Jackson County, Ala. EDA
Nathan Lee Jackson County, Ala. EDA
Shelia Shepard Jackson County, Ala. EDA
Deborah Smith Jefferson County, Ala. EDA
Bethany Shockney Limestone County, Ala. EDA
Tom Hill Limestone County, Ala. EDA
Ted vonCannon Metropolitan Dev’t Board, Birmingham, Ala.
Bill Sisson Mobile, Ala. Area Chamber
Sandy Smith Monroeville-Monroe County, Ala. Chamber
Anna Buckalew Montgomery, Ala. Area Chamber
Ellen McNair Montgomery, Ala. Area Chamber
Randy George Montgomery, Ala. Area Chamber
Cindy Vinson Morgan County, Ala. EDA
Jeremy Nails Morgan County, Ala. EDA
Brookes Kracke North Alabama IDA
Cindy Burns North Alabama IDA
Jason Wright North Alabama IDA
Mike Roberts North Alabama IDA
Tate Godfrey North Alabama IDA
Shaun Culligan Phenix City, Ala. Economic Development
Chase Cobb Pike County, Ala. EDC
Marsha Gaylard Pike County, Ala. EDC
Barbie Peek Port of Huntsville, Ala.
David Roberts PowerSouth Energy
Horace Horn PowerSouth Energy
Jim Brook PowerSouth Energy
Taylor Williams PowerSouth Energy
Connie Bainbridge Prattville-Autauga County, Ala. ED
Patty VanderWal Prattville-Autauga County, Ala. ED
Wayne Vardaman Selma and Dallas County, Ala. EDA
Kirk Mancer Shelby County, Ala. Chamber
James Dedes Shelby County, Ala. Economic Development
Forrest Wright Shoals, Ala. EDA
Kevin Jackson Shoals, Ala. EDA
Susie Heird Shoals, Ala. EDA
Lamar Smith Spire Energy
Mike Swinson Spire Energy
Warren McCullers Spire Energy
Calvin Miller Talladega County, Ala. EDA
Dara Longgrear Tuscaloosa County, Ala. EDA
Justice Smyth Tuscaloosa County, Ala. EDA
David Knight Walker County, Ala. Development Authority
Shelley Short Arkadelphia, Ark. EDA
Clint O’Neal Arkansas EDC
Jim Pickens Arkansas EDC
Maria Haley Arkansas EDC
Mike Preston Arkansas EDC
Morris Jenkins Arkansas EDC
Patricia Nunn Brown Arkansas EDC
Rick Pilkington Arkansas EDC
Becky Thompson Arkansas EDC
Bentley Story Arkansas EDC
Ernie Faucett Arkansas Electric Cooperatives
Alan McVey ASU Delta Center for Economic Dev’t
Andrea Allen ASU Delta Center for Economic Dev’t
Frankie Tidmore Gilliam ASU Delta Center for ED
Shawnie Wilson ASU Delta Center for Economic Dev’t
Crystal Johnson Batesville, Ark. Chamber
Graham Cobb Bentonville, Ark. Area Chamber
James Bell Bentonville, Ark. Chamber
Devin Howland City of Fayetteville, Ark.
Courtney Dunn City of Maumelle, Ark.
Jim Sharkey City of Maumelle, Ark.
Judy Keller City of Maumelle, Ark.
Colleen Bailey City of North Little Rock
Robert Birch City of North Little Rock
Ward Wimbish City of West Memphis, Ark. ED
Flave Carpenter, Sr. Clark County Industrial Council
Brad Lacy Conway, Ark. Chamber
Bill Thomas Cross County, Ark. Economic Development
Allison Thompson EDA for Jefferson County, Ark.
Lou Ann Nisbett EDA for Jefferson County, Ark.
Jack McNulty EDA Jefferson County, Ark.
Nancy Lee McNew EDA Jefferson County, Ark.
Bill Luther El Dorado, Ark. Chamber
Henry Florsheim El Dorado, Ark. Chamber
J.D. Lowery Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas
Kirkley Thomas Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas
Danny Games Entergy Arkansas
Flave Carpenter Entergy Arkansas
Joe Bailey Entergy Arkansas
Michael Mauldin Entergy Arkansas
Sherry McDonnell Entergy Arkansas
Sonny Whitelaw Entergy Arkansas
Steve Clark Fayetteville, Ark. Chamber
Janie Glover Fort Smith, Ark. Chamber
Tim Allen Fort Smith, Ark. Chamber
Clif Chitwood Great River EDF, Mississippi County, Ark.
Gary Troutman Greater Hot Springs, Ark. Chamber
Jim Fram Greater Hot Springs, Ark. Chamber
Mark Young Greater Jonesboro, Ark. Chamber
Bob Largent Harrison, Ark. Chamber
John Edwards Helena Harbor & Phillips County, Ark.
Martin Chaffin Helena Harbor & Phillips County, Ark.
Judy Davis Hope, Ark. Chamber
Jay Chesshir Little Rock Chamber
Joey Dean Little Rock Chamber
Ellie Baker Magnolia, Ark. EDC
Kay Brockwell Marion, Ark. Economic Development
Tracy Brick Marion, Ark. Economic Development
Kellie Wall Maumelle, Ark. Chamber
Dani Pugsley Mountain Home, Ark. Chamber
Jon Chadwell Newport, Ark. Chamber
Julie Allen Newport, Ark. Chamber
Nelson Peacock Northwest Arkansas Council, Springdale, Ark.
James Lee Silliman Ouachita, Ark. Partnership
Allison Hestand Paragould, Ark. Regional Chamber
Sue McGowan Paragould, Ark. Regional Chamber
Paul Latture, Sr. Port of Little Rock
Bryan Day Port of Little Rock
Raymond Burns Rogers-Lowell, Ark. Chamber
Steve Cox Rogers-Lowell, Ark. Chamber
Dr. Megan Selman Russellville, Ark. Chamber
Jeff Pipkin Russellville, Ark. Chamber
Paul Harvel Russellville, Ark. Chamber
Buck Layne Searcy, Ark. Chamber
Bill Rogers Springdale, Ark. Chamber
Perry Webb Springdale, Ark. Chamber
Ginger Barber Baker County, Fla. Development Commission
Becca Hardin Bay County EDA, Panama City, Fla.
Kelly Smallridge BDB of Palm Beach
Sharon Hillstrom Bradenton, Fla. Area EDC
Jim DeGennaro Central Florida Development Council
Sean Malott Central Florida Development Council
Marc Hoenstine Duke Energy Florida
Lynda Weatherman EDC of Florida’s Space Coast
Michael Bobroff EDC of Mid-Florida
Ron Thibodeux EDC of Mid-Florida
Pete Tesch EDC of St. Lucie County, Fla.
Bridget Merrill Enterprise Florida
Gray Swoope Enterprise Florida
Roger Miller Enterprise Florida
Sena Black Enterprise Florida
Melissa Medley Enterprise Florida
Laura DiBella Enterprise Florida
Steve Mayberry Florida Department of Commerce
Eunice Sullivan Florida Department of Commerce
Paul Sohl Florida High Tech Corridor Council
Randy Berridge Florida High Tech Corridor Council
Ed Schons Florida Power
Scott Luth Florida West EDA, Pensacola, Fla.
Jennifer Conoley Florida’s Great Northwest
Kim Wilmes Florida’s Great Northwest
Cathy Chambers FP&L
Cliff Crut FP&L
Crystal Stiles FP&L
Lyn Pitts FP&L
Rick Byars FP&L
Robin Ronne Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
Bob Swindell Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
David Rodriguez Greater Osceola, Fla. Partnership
William Martin Greater Osceola, Fla. Partnership
Stuart Litvin Hollywood, Fla. Business Council
Aaron Bowman JAXUSA Partnership
Aundra Wallace JAXUSA Partnership
Cathy Chambers JAXUSA Partnership
Jerry Mallot JAXUSA Partnership
Steve Scruggs Lakeland EDC
Allen Cherry Madison County, Fla. Economic Development
Sherri Mitchell Nassau County, Fla. EDB
Steve Rieck Nassau County, Fla. EDB
Jeff Hendry Northern Florida EDP
Kevin Sheilley Ocala, Fla. Economic Partnership
Brett Wattles Ocala/Marion County, Fla. EDC
Crystal Sircy Orlando Economic Partnership
Dave Porter Orlando Economic Partnership
Jennifer Wakefield Orlando Economic Partnership
Ray Gilley Orlando Economic Partnership
Tim Giuliani Orlando Economic Partnership
Bill Cronin Pasco County, Fla. EDC
Frank Tamberrino Pensacola, Fla. Chamber
Mike Frey Pensacola, Fla. Chamber
Buzz David Pinellas County, Fla. Economic Development
Mike Meidel Pinellas County, Fla. Economic Development
Dana Jones Putnam County, Fla. Chamber
Wes Larson Putnam County, Fla. Chamber
Rebekah Arthur Seminole County Chamber
Bill McDermott Seminole County Economic Development
Sue Dick Tallahassee, Fla. Chamber
Bemetra Simmons Tampa Bay Partnership
Chris Steinocher Tampa Bay Partnership
Stu Rogel Tampa Bay Partnership
Dr. Robert Rohrlack Jr. Tampa Chamber
Bea Bare Tampa Hillsborough, Fla. EDC
Craig Richard Tampa Hillsborough, Fla. EDC
Michelle Bauer Tampa Hillsborough, Fla. EDC
Keith Norden Team Volusia County, Fla. EDC
Holly Wiedman The Beacon Council, Miami, Fla.
Cal Wray Augusta, Ga. EDA
Walter Sprouse Augusta, Ga. EDA
Melinda Lemmon Cartersville-Bartow County, Ga. DED
Misti Whitfield Martin Cherokee County, Ga. ED
Sharon Mason Cobb County, Ga. Chamber
Robert Bennett DA of Columbia County, Ga.
Carl Campbell Dalton-Whitfield County, Ga. JDA
Anna Chafin Development Authority of Bryan County, Ga.
Peggy Chapman Development Authority of Bulloch County, Ga.
Benjy Thompson Development Authority of Bulloch County, Ga.
Angie Gheesling Development Authority of Houston County, Ga.
Jane Fryer Development Authority of LaGrange, Ga.
Willie Paulk Dublin-Laurens County, Ga. DA
Ryan Waldrep Dublin-Laurens County, Ga. DA
Daryl Ingram Electric Cities of Georgia
Niki Vanderslice Fayette County, Ga. Development Authority
Dennis Chastain GEMC, Atlanta, Ga.
Joe Riley GEMC, Atlanta, Ga.
Charlie Gatlin Georgia Department of Economic Development
Chris Carr Georgia Department of Economic Development
Chris Clark Georgia Department of Economic Development
Pat Wilson Georgia Department of Economic Development
Randy Cardoza Georgia Department of Economic Development
J. Mac Holladay Georgia Governor’s Development Council
Jonathan Sangster Georgia Power
Walt Farrel Georgia Power
Kit Dunlap Greater Hall County, Ga. Chamber
David Luckie Griffin-Spalding, Ga. Development Authority
Nick Masino Gwinnett County, Ga. Chamber
Josh Fenn Henry County, Ga. Development Authority
Dr. Eloisa Klementich Invest Atlanta
Jim Shaw Jackson County, Ga. Chamber
Ron Tolley Liberty County, Ga. Development Authority
Glenn Cornell NationsBank
Mike Lott NationsBank
Serra Hall Newton Covington, Ga. Economic Development
Deven Cason Partnership Gwinnett
Kevin Shea Savannah, Ga. EDA
Trip Tollison Savannah, Ga. EDA
Andrea Schruijer Valdosta-Lowndes County, Ga.
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