Lori Watts of Columbia has been named as a 2018-2019 board member for the Mississippi Economic Development Council, the state’s professional association for economic developers.
Watts, president of the Marion County Development Partnership, is a representative for District 7.
“I was very pleased to be invited to participate in that,” she said. “I’m excited and humbled to be representing our county on the board.”
Watts began her career in economic development as an administrative assistant at the MCDP seven years ago. Finding an immediate affinity for the work, she immersed herself in training and quickly developed the skills needed to take on project manager responsibilities. Last year, Watts was tapped to fill the position of president, after earning certification as an economic developer from the International Economic Development Council in 2016. During her time at MCDP, Watts has played a prominent role in helping recruit and expand several manufacturing and industrial companies.
“This is a great opportunity to make new contacts and have new resources I can connect to and for Columbia and Marion County to have some input,” she said. “I’m excited to be a part of that.”
The 2018-2019 president is William Scaggs of West Point with the North Mississippi Industrial Development Association.
Other officers include:
President-elect Chandler Russ of Natchez
Secretary/Treasurer Guy Johnson of Bay St. Louis
Immediate Past-President Cary Karlson of Greenville
Vice Presidents Valencia Williamson of Hattiesburg, Allison Beasley of Gulfport, Mitch Stringer of Jackson and Hunter Aycock of Tupelo.
The Southern Economic Development Council Mississippi representative on the MEDC Board is Jon Maynard of Oxford. n
