A market leader in the execution of durable, high-integrity, landscape-scale carbon reforestation and wetland mitigation, E|R has a field-proven Technical Team committed to managing even the most minute elements of dynamic, nature-based restoration projects, as well as an Executive and Management Team with decades of business experience and a sharp focus on budget discipline.

Hired to implement a strategic plan to transition the organization into a high performing economic development operation focused on data driven results for the community. Responsible for managing the following community development programs: Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Foundation, Cleveland Tourism Commission, Cleveland Main Street, Cleveland Development Foundation (501(c)3) and Bolivar County Economic Development District.Develop an organizational chart, created job descriptions for new positions and hired a new staff of six within nine months. Provides continuous coaching and mentoring of new employees in their roles. Designs measurement and evaluation tools for individual program areas for staff and boards to track implementation of strategic plan. Implements technology changes to increase efficiency and productivity within the office. Introduced the following: VPN, CRM system, payment processor, payroll system, Google Workspace, VOIP, new hardware.Initiates a business retention and expansion program to immediately assess and meet the needs of existing employers in the county.Monitors, lobbies and administers state and federal funding received for tourism, industrial park improvements and transportation projects for economic development from loan programs, grant funds and direct legislative allocations. Improves industrial product offerings by completing due diligence, creating marketing materials on sites, road expansions to sites, utility expansions and exploring feasibility of constructing industrial buildings.Assists Port of Rosedale with infrastructure projects to increase port channel depth, revitalize the Great River Railroad to the port and adjacent industrial property.Markets available industrial property, Port of Rosedale and Cleveland Municipal Airport property to local utility partners, Mississippi Development Authority and site consultants.

Served as the inaugural director of a regional economic development organization. Established bylaws, inter-local agreements, budgets, logos and all digital marketing tools, and creating a 501©3 foundation to support the organization.Obtained funding for property development from local, state and federal agencies to perform due diligence, install utility lines and build interior roads in industrial park. Total of $1.5 million dollars acquired within two years.Established workforce development programming to support existing industry and build the talent capacity of the local community. Received a $560,000 workforce development grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to give all high schools seniors the National Career Readiness Certificate, purchased $330,000 of equipment to support middle-skill job training and implement training pathways to support the needs of local employers.Assisted with expansions of existing employers and new employers to the community by working with local utility companies to reduce costs of services and line expansions, submitting grants for local water system improvements and paving of roads, customizing workforce development training and seeking assistance from the Mississippi Development Authority. Total of $75 million in capital investment on projects in five years.Implemented business and retention programming by performing local and corporate site visits, business climate and wage surveys. Responded and projected the needs of local industry based upon feedback.Developed all marketing and recruitment tools for industrial properties and the community. Networked with state, utility and site selection consultants to sell them on location, sites and buildings and available talent.Managed data and property listings to respond in a timely manner to RFI's and prepared and hosted business executives on site visits.

Developed technology based programming and training modules to deliver to organizations and small businesses.Assisted individuals, small businesses and industry with expanding online sales and marketing through social media, creating web sites with a shopping cart and establishing a store front through marketplace venues like eBay and Etsy.Promoted the advantages of having broadband and fiber connectivity in a region to increase online business activity, entrepreneurship and recruitment of new businesses and industry to governmental and community organizations. Principle Investigator for the National e-Commerce Extension Intiative.

Developed programming for Chamber of Commerce members to support and educate business owners on topics ranging from social media use to arranging QuickBooks instruction.Communicated with members and the general public through a weekly newspaper column, social media and bi-weekly interactive newsletter.Counseled business owners and government leaders on best practices and trends to increase industry and business sales in the county.Managed a budget of $500,000 in public funds and membership funds for the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development District. Increased membership investments 25% in one year.Renegotiated ten year contract to increase quasi public funding for the organization of $80,000 per year.Delegated responsibilities of one employee, contract maintenance employee and intern to carry out the mission of the Economic Development District/Chamber of Commerce.Operated the Choctaw County Community Center and marketed the facility for rental.Coordinated Choctaw County’s annual arts and crafts festival. Managed a $6,200 turnaround in festival profit in one year. Secured a $3,000 grant to create a web site to increase visibility of the festival online. Increased vendor participation 70% in one year.Planned community development events with the Chamber of Commerce Board to strengthen the relationship between the business community and general public to improve the quality of life for Choctaw County residents.Completed requests for economic development information regarding available sites and properties in Choctaw County for sale or development.Marketed Choctaw County to tourists and participated in all state tourism efforts to bring visitors to the county.Leveraged the resources of Mississippi State University and Holmes Community College to support Choctaw County economic and workforce development efforts.

Selected as one of thirty-four employees from Naval installations throughout the United States in 2010 to participate in the Department of Navy, Office of Civilian Human Resources, Human Resources Career Program. This is a two year leadership development program to train participants on all aspects of Human Resources within the Federal government.Completed a four month rotation at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, training to learn the position of an employee and labor relations specialist.Served on a Navy wide committee to plan the annual Dept. of Navy World Wide Human Resources Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, for over 400 civilian and military attendees.Advised civilian and military managers legally of their options to recruit and fill a position within the Dept. of Navy.Created assessments based off of a position to measure an applicant’s knowledge, skills and abilities related to the position and post vacancy announcements for the position.Rated and reviewed resumes applying all legal authorities to provide a list of the best qualified applicants to the manager.Made tentative and final job offers to selectees, which includes setting their pay and completing pre-screening requirements.

Graduate assistant for the Aquatics Department at the Sanderson Center. Responsibilities included managing staff of 15-20 lifeguards, swim intructors, and water aerobics instructors. Marketing services (birthday parties, summer camps, swim lessons, lifeguard training) offered at the pool to MSU campus and community. Taught American Red Cross CPR/First Aid course.