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…

Rebecca L. Flora, AICP, was confirmed as Governor Wes Moore’s nominee for Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning on February 17, 2023, the latest achievement in a career spanning more than 35 years, including planning leadership positions in the public and private sectors. As Secretary, Flora provides comprehensive leadership…

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…

Neil Fowler serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Strategic Partnerships at the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED). In this capacity, he works with economic and workforce development partners across the Commonwealth to support entrepreneurs and businesses facing challenges as well as opportunities. In Pennsylvania’s…

Jordan Marsh serves as Director of Federal Affairs for South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and is based in Washington, D.C. In his role, he represents the Governor on federal matters impacting the State, while maintaining active relationships with the South Carolina Congressional Delegation, White House, Federal agencies, and other Governors’ offices.

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…

Bryan Horn serves as the director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community development. He brings years of experience to the administration. He is a skilled attorney whose primary areas of practice were construction law, eminent domain law and general commercial and real estate litigation. While at his firm,…

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…