MISSISSIPPI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ANNOUNCES 2026-2027 OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
October 13, 2026
JACKSON, Miss. — The Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) has announced its officers and Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 fiscal year. The leadership team represents economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, utilities, and other partners committed to strengthening communities and advancing economic growth throughout Mississippi.
Justin Hall, Executive Director of the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority, will serve as MEDC President, leading the organization alongside its officers and Board of Directors in support of Mississippi’s economic development professionals and the communities they serve.
2026–2027 Officers
President: Justin Hall, Executive Director, Marshall County Industrial Development Authority
President-Elect: Regina Todd, Assistant Director, Rankin First Economic Development Authority
Vice President of Chamber Development: Hannah Aguzzi, Executive Director, Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce
Vice President of Community Development: Lindsay Ward, Economic Development Director, Pearl River County Economic Development District
Vice President of Economic Development: Ross Tucker, President and CEO, Economic Development Authority of Jones County
Vice President of Emerging Leaders: Stevie Phillips, Senior Economic Development Representative, Cooperative Energy
Secretary-Treasurer: Glen Haab, Executive Director, Winston County Economic District Partnership
Immediate Past President: Todd Jackson, Executive Vice President, Area Development Partnership
Board of Directors
Directors | 2026–2028 Term
District 2: Leon Hays, Executive Director, Prentiss County Development Association
District 3: Thomas Gregory, Executive Director, Greenwood-Leflore County Industrial Development Authority
District 6: Chandler Russ, Executive Director, Natchez, Inc.
District 7: Lindsay Brown, Executive Director, Petal Area Chamber of Commerce
District 8: Blaine LaFontaine, Executive Director, Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission
Directors | 2025–2027 Term
District 1: Jon Levingston, Executive Director, Crossroads Economic Partnership
District 4: Kim Richardson, Assistant Director, North Mississippi Industrial Development Association
District 5: Larkin Simpson, Chief Operating Officer, Madison County Economic Development Authority
Directors-at-Large
Melissa Morel, Economic Development Manager, Mississippi Power
Ed Gardner, Vice President of Business and Economic Development, Entergy
Ex-Officio and Other Board Representatives
Mississippi Development Authority Executive Director: PJ Waldrop
AccelerateMS Executive Director: Courtney Taylor
Mississippi SEDC Director: Hunter Aycock, Community Development Foundation
Mississippi SEDC Alternate Director: Larkin Simpson, Madison County Economic Development Authority
Chair of Scholarship and Awards: Tim Climer, Outreach Director and Agency Liaison for Community and Rural Development, Mississippi Development Authority
Message from Incoming MEDC President Justin Hall
“Serving as President of the Mississippi Economic Development Council is both an honor and a responsibility. Across Mississippi, communities are working to create new opportunities, strengthen their economies, and build a better future for their residents. MEDC plays an important role in bringing those communities and economic development professionals together, providing the resources, relationships, and advocacy needed to move our state forward.
As we begin this new fiscal year, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead for MEDC and grateful for the leadership of our board, our staff, our members and our partners. We have a strong foundation to build on, and I look forward to working together to strengthen economic development across every corner of Mississippi.”
About the Mississippi Economic Development Council
The Mississippi Economic Development Council is a statewide professional organization dedicated to advancing economic development through professional development, networking, collaboration, and advocacy. MEDC brings together economic development professionals and community partners to strengthen local economies and support economic growth throughout Mississippi.
For more information, visit www.medc.ms.
Media Contact:
Gwen Howard
Executive Director
Mississippi Economic Development Council, Inc.
(601) 352 - 1909
