Kenneth Boswell was named Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs by Governor Kay Ivey in May 2017, bringing a proven background in business and successful leadership in municipal government.As ADECA Director, Boswell has the broad responsibility of guiding dozens of grant programs, including the Appalachian Regional…

Christopher Nunn was appointed Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in 2017. He leads the State’s community development efforts to support local leaders in their efforts to build strong, vibrant communities. Prior to DCA, Commissioner Nunn led a regional professional services firm as Chief Operating Officer and…

With a background in business development and state government, Department for Local Government Commissioner Dennis Keene is no stranger to improving Kentucky communities. Equipped with an entrepreneurial spirit, he started a business at 20 before becoming a top advisor at regional economic development group Southbank Partners. While there, Commissioner Keene…

Wendi Peters was appointed Special Secretary of Smart Growth by Governor Larry Hogan on August 24, 2017. Prior to her appointment as Special Secretary, she served as Secretary (2016-2017) and as Deputy Secretary (2015-2016) of the Maryland Department of Planning.Secretary Peters has been a community leader for more than two…

Anne Hall Brashier is the Deputy Policy Director for Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves.  She previously served as an advisor to U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis and U.S. Representative Trent Kelly.  Originally from Indianola, Mississippi, Anne Hall earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University…

Mark P. Pattison was appointed by Secretary of State Rossana Rosado as the Deputy Secretary for Local Government. He was previously the Director of Local Government Services at the Department of State. Mr. Pattison also previously served as Deputy Commissioner for the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities and as…

Jim McCleskey’s roots in North Carolina’s Appalachian region go back to colonial days. He was appointed in 1999 as Director of the North Carolina Washington Office and as ARC Alternate by Governor James B. Hunt Jr. and was reappointed by Governors Michael F. Easley in 2001, Beverly Eaves Perdue in…

John Carey was appointed Director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia by GovernorMike DeWine in February 2019.John Carey served as the Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education from2013 – 2018. As Chancellor he worked to align higher education programs with Ohio’s jobcreation and workforce needs. Carey also implemented…

Sheri Collins serves as the Senior Director of the Office of Corporate Relations at the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED). In this capacity, she works to advance economic development initiatives including talent attraction; company attraction and expansion and marketing Pennsylvania’s assets and resources to businesses and investors outside…

Michael P. McInerney was named director of External Affairs for the SC Department of Commerce in December 2012. Michael serves as the liaison between SC Commerce and the state legislature. He also represents SC Commerce at outside events. He serves as special assistant to the Secretary of Commerce. Michael has…

Brooxie Carlton serves as director of federal programs for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. In this position, Carlton oversees the administration of Community Development Block grants, Delta Regional Authority grants, Appalachian Regional Commission grants and CDBG-Disaster grants. Previously, Carlton served as program manager for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation…

Erik Johnston serves as Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Governor Ralph Northam appointed him on January 15, 2018. Erik is responsible for management and oversight of the agency, which provides community development, economic development and housing program support to communities across the Commonwealth. The…

Jennifer Ferrell currently serves as the Director of the Community Advancement and Development (CAD) division in the West Virginia Development Office. The CAD division administers state and federal grant programs which are designed to improve the quality of life to the citizens in West Virginia. Through these grant programs, the…