Appalachian Leadership Institute (Class of 2019-2020)

Mississippi

Gregory Alston

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Gregory Alston currently serves in the Office of Mississippi’s Attorney General. Previously, he was the North Mississippi Representative and General Counsel for United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smithand the late Senator Thad Cochran. A native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Alston attended Ole Miss he was elected on February 19, 2013 as Student Body President. He graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law in May of 2017 where he also served as Student Body President from 2016-2017. Alston is a member of the Mississippi Bar and is an Eagle Scout. He and his wife Ann Ferrell reside in Oxford, Mississippi.

Pennsylvania

Anthony Armaly

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Anthony Armaly is the Global Partnerships Manager and Regional Workforce Initiative (RWFI) Federal Coordinator for the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) of the Department of Energy (DOE) where he works with regional stakeholders in developing or promoting workforce and linking it to opportunities in the energy area. As Global Partnerships Manager, Anthony pursues new global collaborations on behalf of the laboratory. Prior to joining NETL in 2015, Anthony spent 5.5-years with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) at Wright-Patterson AFB. He has a B.S., in Business from Bowling Green State University and a M.S., in Administration from Central Michigan University.

West Virginia

Tricia Ball

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Tricia Ball is the Associate Director of Marshall University’s Innovating for Impact Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (iCenter). Prior to the iCenter, she worked at the Appalachian Transportation Institute and Center for Business and Economic Research focusing on marketing and economic development. She also has experience in the fields of experiential marketing and student affairs. Ball has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism (Public Relations) from West Virginia University and a master’s degree in Student Personnel in Higher Education from the University of Florida. She is an amateur Crossfitter, Christmas enthusiast, and boy mom times two.

North Carolina

Terry Bellamy

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Terry Bellamy is Madison County’s Director of Community and Economic Development. She has a wealth of experience in workforce development, infrastructure planning, and affordable housing. Bellamy also serves as the Administrative Coordinator for the Pearson Project Collaborative, a multi-generational network of African American neighborhoods. During her tenure as Councilmember, Vice-Mayor, and Mayor, of Asheville, Bellamy was involved in addressing regional issues in Western North Carolina. Bellamy is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte (BA), Western Carolina University (MPA) and current doctoral student at Western Carolina University (EdD). She is married to Lamont Bellamy, and is mother to Seth and Imani.

Mississippi

Albine Bennett

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Albine Bennett serves as the Director of Communications and Imagine the Possibilities Career Expo Coordinator at the CREATE Foundation. She oversees the overall direction of CREATE’s communication, marketing, and coordinating of events which includes hosting over 7,000 8th grade students at the annual Imagine the Possibilities career expo. Albine has a BA in Managerial Finance from University of Mississippi and an MBA from Louisiana State University. Albine enjoys giving back to her community through her efforts in volunteering with several organizations in Northeast Mississippi. Outside of volunteering, Albine enjoys reading, exercising, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Alabama

Lisa Bright

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Lisa Bright is the founder and Chief Executive Officer for the Will Bright Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to breaking the barriers of recovery from addiction. After the loss of her son, Will to a heroin overdose, she and her husband Bill decided to take their tragedy and use it to help those struggling with addiction. In 2017 the Will Bright Foundation opened Restoration Springs, in Fayette, Alabama. Restoration Springs is a transitional living facility for men coming out of recovery but needing help with that next step in life. Prior to her foundation work, she owned and operated a drapery design business for 24 years. Was featured in Southern Living Magazine numerous times with her cutting edge drapery designs. She has been married for 37 years has 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren.

West Virginia

Denise Burgess

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Denise is currently a Senior Educator for the CAMC Department of Continuing Education. She is a Registered Nurse, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Marriage and Family Therapist. Denise holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling, a BSN, a BA and an ADN. In 2011 she received the WV Nurse Excellence Award for Nursing Leadership and was the recipient of the WV YWCA 2016 Women of Achievement. Denise and her husband Mike have been married for 38 years; have two sons, two daughter-in-laws and 1.5 granddaughters.

New York

Willard Caudill

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Bill Caudill serves as the Coordinator of the Steuben County Youth Bureau, in Bath, New York, and has lived in the Appalachian Region for more than 30 years in Mississippi, Maryland, and New York. Bill leads assessment and planning initiatives to address the needs of youth, and collaborates with agency, school, and community partners to administer state and local funding. His background includes 25 years experience in youth and adult education, non-profit and public administration, grant writing, and community development. He holds a B.S. from Frostburg State University (Maryland), and an M.S. from Rochester Institute of Technology (New York).

South Carolina

Jamie Chrisman Low

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Jamie Chrisman Low is the statewide Recovery network weaver for Faces and Voices of Recovery South Carolina and board secretary for Faces and Voices of Recovery Piedmont. She has served as project director and Recovery consultant for federal- and state-funded initiatives. Jamie is a licensed professional counselor associate and board-certified telemental health provider in North Carolina and South Carolina. Her professional expertise in existential theory, strength-based approaches, and person-centered, Recovery-oriented care reinforces her personal experience in long term Recovery and unwavering resolve to remove barriers and improve access to Recovery for individuals, families, and communities. Her grandchildren call her “Giggie.”

Ohio

Brennan Dudley

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Brennan Dudley resides in Byesville, Ohio. Brennan attended Muskingum Perry Career Center where he studied Audio and Video Production and Zane State College where his field of study was Business Management. Brennan currently serves as the City Manager for Byesville, Ohio. Brennan has served in other leadership roles such as retail management, pastor, business owner, and the board of directors for several community organizations. Brennan is a Certified Fire Fighter, Emergency Medical Responder, Certified in FEMA Incident Management & Command, Notary Public, serves on The Ohio State University Extension Advisory Board for Guernsey County, and an OHSAA Basketball Official.

South Carolina

Ray Farley

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Ray Farley is Executive Director of Alliance Pickens.South Carolina.USA, an Appalachian economic development organization he has lead since 2002. He is an economic development professional with 27 years of experience, 25 of which in Appalachia. His work in infrastructure development, industrial park development workforce development and job recruitment and retention has positively impacted thousands of Appalachian residents and families in West Virginia and South Carolina. He is the creator and developer of Scholar Technician®, an International Economic Development Council acclaimed workforce development initiative aimed at successfully developing technical manufacturing STEM skills in K-12 students. He received his BA from Bowling Green State University, MBA from the University of Toledo, and completed the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. Mr. Farley received the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation through the International Economic Development Council. Mr. Farley was recently awarded the 2019 South Carolina Economic Developer of the Year by the South Carolina Economic Developers Association. He is married to an elementary school teacher, the lone love of his life. They have two grown children who are both health care professionals.

Kentucky

Luke Glaser

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Luke Glaser lives in Hazard, Kentucky, where he teaches AP Calculus, AP Literature, Precalculus, and Entrepreneurship at Hazard High School. In 2018, Luke was elected City Commissioner in Hazard. Luke’s work includes modernizing infrastructure and creating one of the most comprehensive city internship programs in the state of Kentucky. Luke is a graduate of the University of Kentucky (English and Hispanic Studies) and is currently pursuing his Masters in Educational Studies through Johns Hopkins University. In his free time, Luke enjoys running, hiking with his significant other, and training his dog to get drinks out of the refrigerator.

North Carolina

Jacqueline Gottleib

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Jacqueline Gottlieb is the President and CEO of Hinton Rural Life Center, a Retreat and Conference Center that engages in community outreach. This is Jacqueline’s 21st year in non-profit management. She earned a Masters and EdD from NC State University and BS from Western Carolina University. She is an Alumnae of Leadership North Carolina, North Carolina Rural Economic Development Institute, and Kenan-Flagler School of Business’ Program for Manager Development. Jacqueline is the President of the Rotary Club of Clay County. She is a single mother of three teenagers and in her spare time loves hiking, pottery, stained glass, and traveling.

Tennessee

Chuck Hammonds

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Chuck Hammonds is the Assistant Executive Director of the SETDD/CARCOG. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. His primary responsibility is supervision of the Community & Economic Development Division of the agency. This department of the agency includes Historic Preservation, Tourism, Housing, Local Government Planning and GIS functions, Infrastructure Development, Transportation Planning, Economic and Industrial Development, and the day to day operations of the agency. Chuck has been with the agency for 18 years. Prior to joining the Development District, Chuck worked for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation as an Environmental Specialist.

New York

Beau Harbin

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Beau Harbin is a County Legislator in Cortland, NY as well as a Global Manager of Client Success and Training for Advanced Solutions International. As Legislator, Harbin is an active participant in numerous committees and boards, including Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds committee and Vice Chair of the Southern Tier 8 Regional Planning Board. He has been engaged on issues involving planning and development, the environment, and criminal justice. As a Global Manager at ASI, he is responsible for leading an international team of software consultants. Harbin and his family have lived in Cortland for 11 years after having moved there from Northern Virginia.

Virginia

Mary Anne Holbrook

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Mary Anne Holbrook is the Director of Community Relations for United Way of Southwest Virginia where she leads a team of dedicated development professionals and serves on the CEO’s leadership team. She has worked in all facets of fundraising including donor development and stewardship, grant writing, governmental relations, and events. A graduate of Radford University, Mary Anne holds a Master’s Degree in English with concentrations in Appalachian Studies and Business and Technical Writing. Mary Anne lives in Washington County, Virginia with her husband, Jon, and their children.

Kentucky

Jessie Hunt

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Jessie Hunt is a Financial Project Manager at Fahe in Berea, KY. In her current role, she oversees an ARC Power Grant focusing on Transformational Employment for people recovering from addiction. She also assists in the development of low-income housing projects across Appalachia by securing various forms of funding such as: LIHTC, tax-exempt bonds, HOME, AHTF, and CDBG. Jessie holds a BBA in Accounting from Eastern Kentucky University and an MBA from Morehead State University. She is a licensed KY Resident Agent for Health and Life Insurance and is working towards her Project Management Professional Certification.

Ohio

Leanne Johnson

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Leanne Kinker Johnson is currently the Vice President of Business Development and the Banking Center Manager at WesBanco Bank in Portsmouth, Ohio. With twelve years of business management and business banking experience, she began her financial career with CitiFinancial as a Customer Service Rep and worked her way up to manager within three years. She joined WesBanco in 2014 and was promoted to Assistant Vice President in 2015 and Vice President of Business Development in 2017. Under Leanne’s leadership, the Portsmouth Banking Center won the prestigious President’s Club award for “Overall Top Performing Branch” within WesBanco in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Leanne is actively involved with her community and currently serves on the boards of the local American Red Cross, Star Inc., and is Treasurer of the 14th Street Community Center. In 2018, she co-founded “Watch Me Grow”, a Youth Agriculture & Entrepreneurship program for the youth in the Portsmouth area. Leanne is the mother of four children and a grandmother. She currently resides in South Webster, Ohio with her husband.

Kentucky

Colby Kirk

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Colby Kirk is the Executive Director of One Harlan County, an economic development organization serving Harlan County, Kentucky. Prior to this position, Colby managed projects for a regional economic development entity covering nine counties in southeastern Kentucky. He also served two years as a Teach For America (TFA) Corps Member, teaching high school mathematics in the TFA Appalachia region. Colby holds a degree in Finance from the University of Kentucky and is currently enrolled in the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. He is a lifelong Appalachian who is committed to diversifying the region’s economy.

North Carolina

Bronwyn Lucas

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Bronwyn Lucas is the director of leadership at the NC Rural Center. She has a deep passion for leadership development, health equity, community engagement and systems change. She spent several years working on food systems change at the national level but loves working with communities across NC. Bronwyn is the founder and past executive director of Youth Empowered Solutions (YES!), a national nonprofit that empowers youth to create community change. Bronwyn’s roots are from Gastonia, NC and Sydney, Australia. Lucas has a BS from Amherst College and a Master of Public Health from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Georgia

Daniel Martin

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Daniel Martin serves as Director of Economic Development for the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission (GMRC). In this role, he assists local governments and development authorities in pursuing financing for projects through various grant and loan programs. Prior to joining GMRC, Daniel held management roles with Kite Realty Group and Victory Real Estate Investments both of which focused on the development of anchored shopping centers across the U.S. Daniel is a native of South Alabama and holds a BA in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration, both from Auburn University.

Virginia

Lydeana Martin

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Lydeana Martin is the Community and Economic Development Director for Floyd County, Virginia, a role she has played since 2004. Prior to that, she was a regional planner at the New River Valley Regional Commission, a district manager for the Roanoke Times, and an independent real estate appraiser. She has a BA in History/American Studies from the University of Virginia, and Masters in Business Administration and Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Tech. She’s also a certified planner. She is active in her church and community. She has one daughter, named Shayley, who is in her second year of college.

Mississippi

GT McCullough

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GT McCullough serves as the Project Manager for The Alliance, the economic development organization and chamber of commerce for the City of Corinth and Alcorn County, Mississippi. Prior to joining The Alliance in June of 2017, he spent five seasons on the baseball staff at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. McCullough earned a Bachelor of Science from the College of Education at Mississippi State University. He is married to Sally Beth, who is the Biology teacher at Corinth High School. They have two children, Sally Grace (4) and Sam (2).

Pennsylvania

Joshua Miller

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Josh is responsible for the extracurricular entrepreneurial program offered at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, as well as the day-to-day operations for the UVa-Wise Innovation Centers, including The Nest and the Oxbow Center for Innovation and Technology. Josh also helps to grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Southwest Virginia by facilitating Opportunity SWVA, the region’s entrepreneurial support organization. He earned a B.S. in Business Management and Sports Management from Virginia Intermont College. Josh enjoys all the outdoor activities SWVA has to offer and planning for the next adventure with the wife and three kids.

Tennessee

Alicia Phelps

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Alicia Phelps is Executive Director of Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association. Prior to joining NETTA in 2016, she worked in public relations for Emory & Henry College, and as Director of Tourism for Jonesborough. Phelps is a graduate of Emory & Henry College, King University, and Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College. She is active on several community boards and serves as principal instructor for East Tennessee State University’s Hospitality & Tourism Certification. Under her leadership, NETTA was named 2019 Tennessee Destination Marketing Organization of the Year. Alicia is a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, and can be found at car shows, cruising backroads, hiking, paddleboarding or kayaking.

Alabama

Steven Puckett

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Steven Puckett serves as the Business and Community Outreach Director within the University of North Alabama’s College of Business. In that role he develops relationships with local industry leaders to build a strong focus on various economic and community development projects. Puckett also teaches Innovation and Entrepreneurship and assists students with start-up projects through The Generator, the University’s student business incubator. Before coming to UNA, Puckett served as managing director of Southern Research’s Prosperity Fund. In this role he was responsible for advancing the fund’s strategic objectives of assisting business growth, stimulating start-up activity, and spurring job creation throughout Alabama.

North Carolina

Chris Robinson

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Chris Robinson, the Vice-President of Workforce Development and Community Education at Wilkes Community College, is responsible for non-credit courses offered by the college in its three-county service area and the operations of WCC’s Ashe Campus. Robinson has been part of teams that have recruited seven major industries to the area, grown the Ashe Campus by 400 percent, and grown the college’s customized training programs significantly. He holds a BA in English from the University of Maryland. Robinson lives in Jefferson, NC, with his wife Yolanda, and is the proud father of two daughters and grandfather to Briggs and Collins.

Tennessee

Denny Wayne Robinson

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Denny Wayne Robinson serves as the County Executive for White County Tennessee where he is focused on economic development for the community. Denny also serves on several boards: Tri-County Railroad, Center Hill Rural Planning Organization, Legislative Committee for the Association of Mayors, Upper Cumberland Regional Airport, Upper Cumberland Development District & Human Resources Agency and has recently been appointed to Launch TN Board of Directors, a public-private partnership that supports entrepreneurs across Tennessee. Denny is a graduate of Tennessee Tech University, Completed the Economic Development Course University of Tennessee, Denny is also a veteran of the Army and National Guard.

Maryland

Andrew Sargent

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Andrew’s career has spanned small business management, real estate, commercial property management and economic development, which has led to his current role as the Senior Business Development Representative for Western Maryland for the MD Department of Commerce. He lives with his wife, Dr. Tara Sargent and is the proud father of George (15) and Grace (13). In his spare time he enjoys pedaling, reading, and listening to live, handcrafted music of almost any sort. He is currently serving on the Fletcher Foundation board of directors and as the Chair of the Washington County Convention & Visitor Center Board of Directors.

Virginia

Josh Sawyers

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Josh is responsible for the extracurricular entrepreneurial program offered at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, as well as the day-to-day operations for the UVa-Wise Innovation Centers, including The Nest and the Oxbow Center for Innovation and Technology. Josh also helps to grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Southwest Virginia by facilitating Opportunity SWVA, the region’s entrepreneurial support organization. He earned a B.S. in Business Management and Sports Management from Virginia Intermont College. Josh enjoys all the outdoor activities SWVA has to offer and planning for the next adventure with the wife and three kids.

North Carolina

Erin Schotte

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Erin Schotte works as a Community & Economic Development Administrator for the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG) in NC, assisting member governments with grant writing and administration as well as long-term planning projects. She was raised in East Tennessee before receiving her BS in Land Use Planning from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. In her spare time, Erin enjoys playing music, exploring nature, reading, gardening, cooking, and eating.

Virginia

Charles Slemp

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Chuck Slemp is Commonwealth’s Attorney for Wise County & the City of Norton. Prior to his election to office in 2015, Slemp served as Commissioner of Accounts (a position similar to probate judge) and managed a private law practice representing local governments and private individuals in Virginia and Tennessee. Slemp earned a B.S. in Business from UVA-Wise, M.A. in Public Policy, Juris Doctor from Regent University, and completed post-graduate study at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. He is a husband, father of two young boys, an adjunct professor, and serves on various boards and commissions throughout Virginia.

Ohio

Tiffany Swigert

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Tiffany Swigert is the Executive Director for the Coshocton Port Authority. Prior to joining Coshocton’s Economic Development office in July 2017, she served as the Executive Director of the Coshocton County Regional Planning Commission and the Safety Coordinator for the Coshocton County Commissioners. Tiffany attended Zane State after High School and returned to college while working full-time and raising a family to obtain her Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduating in 2008. Tiffany and her husband of 19 years, Gene Swigert have two teenage sons, Briar 16 and Camden 14 and their dog, Huck.

Pennsylvania

Melissa Tabb

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Melissa Tabb is a program analyst with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development in the Community Service Block Grant program. Through this position working with local Community Action Agencies Melissa has developed a passion for community revitalization, especially in rural areas. She and her husband are also small business owners which has diversified her experiences and added an additional layer of commitment to making her local communities thrive. Outside of work, Melissa can be found enjoying arts festivals, hiking, and thrift shopping with her two young children and a camera in tow.

Alabama

Bevin Tomlin

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Bevin Tomlin works for Alabama Power Company in the Economic & Community Development organization as the Community Development Manager. Previously, she worked in the Business Intelligence organization and on special projects for the Executive Vice President for Customer Services. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for several non-profits, including Alabama Communities of Excellence and Main Street Alabama. Bevin graduated from the University of Alabama in December 2004 with her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Financial Management. She received her Master’s of Science in Finance from UA in May 2007. Bevin lives in Hoover with her husband and three children.

West Virginia

Jenny Totten

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Bevin Tomlin works for Alabama Power Company in the Economic & Community Development organization as the Community Development Manager. Previously, she worked in the Business Intelligence organization and on special projects for the Executive Vice President for Customer Services. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for several non-profits, including Alabama Communities of Excellence and Main Street Alabama. Bevin graduated from the University of Alabama in December 2004 with her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Financial Management. She received her Master’s of Science in Finance from UA in May 2007. Bevin lives in Hoover with her husband and three children.

Tennessee

Jesse Turner

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Jesse E. Turner is the Director of Planning and Transportation for the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG) in Muscle Shoals, AL, a position he has held since 2018. Previously, he was the Transportation Planning Program Director for NACOLG from 2006 -2018. He oversees the region’s public transit system and the agency’s transportation, recreational, and regional planning programs. Jesse was elected as Mayor of Loretto, TN in 2014 and was reelected in 2018. He holds a BS in Professional Geography from the University of North Alabama and resides in Loretto, TN with his wife and their three sons.

Maryland

Jennifer Walsh

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Born and raised in New Mexico, Jennifer graduated with honors from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2001. Following law school, she served as a Law Clerk for Justice Joseph Baca at the New Mexico Supreme Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico and then for Judge Hiram Puig-Lugo at the District of Columbia Superior Court in Washington, D.C. Jennifer worked as a Legislative Assistant at the United States Senate for former US Senator, Jeff Bingaman, before moving to Cumberland in late 2003. Jennifer has been practicing law in Cumberland since 2004 and currently practices part time in the areas of estate and long-term care planning at the Law Firm of Geppert McMullen Paye & Getty. Jennifer is also the Executive Director of The Greater Cumberland Committee, a regional economic development organization whose mission is to create a vibrant and prosperous five-county, tri-state region (all within the Appalachian Region) by serving as a convener, facilitator and catalyst for actions that will develop into long-lasting economic development strategies. Jennifer is a member of the Maryland Economic Development Association, Maryland State Bar Association and Allegany County Bar Association and has served on numerous Board of Directors, including the Allegany Law Foundation, Beginnings Montessori School, and the Cumberland Cultural Foundation, C. William Gilchrist Museum of the Arts.

Georgia

Elizabeth Wells

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Elizabeth Wells is the Director of Community and Economic Development for the City of LaFayette, Georgia and the City of Rossville, Georgia. Preceding her work in Economic and Community Development, she worked in private investment in an analyst and research role. Elizabeth has also worked with small businesses building strategies for lead generation and business development. She has also traversed the globe as a flight attendant. Wells has a BA in Psychology from Georgia State University and an AAS in Fashion Business Management from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is an avid wanderlust and explorer of new ideas!

Kentucky

Laura White-Brown

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Laura White-Brown is the Mayor for the City of Morehead, Kentucky. Prior to becoming Mayor, she was employed by Harold White Lumber, Inc., as the Export Logistics Coordinator and the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Nutrition Education Program as a regional supervisor. Mayor White-Brown has a BA in Health Promotion from Morehead State University. She is married and is the mother of two children. White-Brown is also a marathon runner and enjoys being involved in local non-profits.

Appalachian Regional Commission

Appalachian Leadership Institute Alumni

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