SEDC Elects New Directors and Officers | Tim Weston to Serve as Chairman

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 2026.

Newly elected State Directors are Gary Troutman of Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce (Arkansas), Ben McDaniel of Development Authority of Walton County (Georgia), Mandi Mitchel of Lafayette Economic Development Authority (Louisiana), Cathleen Flournoy of Norfolk Southern Corporation (Missouri), Joe Melvin of North Carolina's Southeast (North Carolina), Andrea Anderson of Ardmore Development Authority (Oklahoma), Michael Guadarrama of ARCO/Murray National Construction Company (Tennessee), and Terrell Ellis of Advantage Valley Inc. (West Virginia).

Newly elected Alternate Directors are Lacey Bacchus of Retail Strategies (Alabama), Shelley Short of Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and Area Chamber (Arkansas), Keith Norden of Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation (Florida), Randall Toussaint of Gwinnett County Economic Development (Georgia), Zach McHatton of City of Newton (Kansas), Rene DeBerdt of Denham-Blythe (Kentucky), Russell Richardson of St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation (Louisiana), Justin Burch of Washington County Economic Development Alliance (Mississippi), Matthew Adkins of Taney County Partnership (Missouri), Mary Lesa Pegg of Norfolk Southern Corporation (North Carolina), Jim Eldridge of OG&E (Oklahoma), Heather Simmons-Jones of MRB Group (South Carolina), Ryan Egly of Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce (Tennessee), Lindsay Dennis of Development Corporation of Abilene (Texas), Jen Kostyniuk of Dominion Energy (Virginia), and David Lieving of Huntington Area Development Council (West Virginia).

State Directors are slated to serve terms of 2 years, and Alternate Directors each serve 1-year terms. All newly elected Directors will begin terms on January 1, 2026.

Tim Weston of Brasfield & Gorrie was elected Chairman of the SEDC Board of Directors. Upon election, Weston stated, "thank you to current Chairwoman Jana Dyke, Board, and SEDC staff for your hard work and leadership throughout 2025. Thanks to you we are in a strong position going into 2026. I am honored to be your 2026 Chairman and I look forward to continuing the momentum. As we go into the new year, our focus will continue to be delivering value and helping you address the challenges that lie ahead."

2026 SEDC Chairman Tim Weston addresses Council at 2025 SEDC Annual Conference

Joining Chairman Weston on the 2026 SEDC Executive Committee are newly elected 1st Vice-Chair Joe Hines of Timmons Group, 2nd Vice-Chair Chris Masingill of Louisiana Central, and Secretary-Treasurer Lindsay Theobald of Obion County (Tennessee) Joint Economic Development Corporation. Upon completion of a historic term, Jana Dyke of Albany-Dougherty (Georgia) Economic Development Commission will assume the Immediate Past-Chair position. Further, Adam Gawarecki of San Patricio County (Texas) Economic Development Corporation, Bethany Shockney of Limestone County (Alabama) Economic Development Association and Bryan Farlow of Thomas & Hutton were elected to the Executive Committee to serve as Regional Directors, representing the Council’s three geographic sectors. Executive Officers will assume respective roles on January 1, 2026.

Newly elected leaders join the following professionals on the 2026 SEDC Board of Directors: Mark Litten of Indian River County Chamber of Commerce (Florida State Director), James Oltman of Elevate Edgerton! (Kansas State Director), Vance Mitchell of Solid Ground Consulting Engineers (Kentucky State Director), Meryl Fisackerly of Golden Triangle Development LINK (Mississippi State Director), Kellen Riley of CSX (South Carolina State Director), and David Manley of Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wythe County (Virginia State Director).

"SEDC members set the global economic development standard as they nurture iconic brands, support emerging technologies that are redefining markets, and develop world-class business environments and opportunities in our communities," stated Council President Matt Tackett. "Our Board reflects the sophisticated Council network that has built the world's 3rd largest and the best-positioned economy. We congratulate incoming Chairman Weston and Directors, and we thank our leadership for their tireless commitment to people, commerce, and continued American South prosperity." 

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