The GEDA annual Legislative Event is "up in the air." Tentatively, we are planning on going to the State Capitol for breakfast and meetings on Thursday, January 14th, but we have not received approval for such an event yet. Stay tuned for additional information. We are grateful to Dan McRae of Seyfarth, who is standing ready to sponsor the event, should we have it.
Recent Events
…And celebrate, we did. The GEDA Annual Awards luncheon on Monday, November 16th at the Georgia Tech Hotel had an in-person audience of about 90 people. There were about thirty virtual attendees also. We recognized members and volunteers with special recognition of awards. GEDA is grateful to Bert Brantley, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governmental Affairs at the Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp, who spoke and presented the awards. Also, GEDA is grateful to Governor Brian Kemp, who greeted us with remarks via video and to Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, who joined us to address event attendees and congratulate all the winners.
Deal of the Year Winners Small category: Telfair County Chamber of Commerce and the Development Authority of Telfair County – Guidoni USA
Mid-Size category: Development Authority of Gordon County – Creative Flooring Solutions
Large Category: Development Authority of Columbia County – Amazon Fulfillment Center
Volunteer of the Year: Noah Covington, Vice Chairman, Development Authority of Bryan County (3rd from left)
Rip Wiley Award: Misti Martin, CEcD, President, Cherokee Office of Economic Development
Honorary Life Members: Annie Hunt Burriss, CEcD, EdD, Co-Founder of Universal Biome (left)
Illya S. Copeland, Former Executive Director, Murray County Industrial Development Authority (posthumously)
C. Jones Hooks, CEcD, Executive Director, Jekyll Island Authority (2nd from left)
GEDA Committee Chair of the Year: Megan Baker, CEcD, Vice President, Fayette County Development Authority for the GEDA Professional Development Committee (right)
Ashley Morris Varnum was promoted to the position of Division Director, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development from her previous post of Director, Automotive, Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Team.
Danetha Belk was promoted to Director of Operations, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development from her previous position of Manager, Events and Partnerships.
Sign up for the Georgia Safety Promise! GEDA has and you can, too. Click here to get additional information and also read the press release below.
GEDA Compensation & Benefits Survey
GEDA conducted a compensation and benefits survey of its members, primarily with members of development authorities, chambers of commerce, cities and counties in late 2019 and concluded it in early 2020. One hundred and twenty-six individuals completed the surveys out of the 255 that were distributed. The results of this survey were distributed free of charge to participants in the survey earlier this year. It has some good data on salaries for a number of positions and extensive benefit information. An infographic, which highlights some of the summary responses, can be viewed by clicking here. The survey is now being made available to members for the low price of $125. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Shea, President, GEDA.
Chair's Column
Hello GEDA
We are winding down our final few weeks of 2020. What a year! I first say how proud I am of our association, our leadership, and staff. We have persevered through a lot this year, we have lost loved ones and seen so many people lose their jobs. The end of the year does not mean it is the end of the pandemic as much as we all wish it were, but there are so many signs that the end is in sight. It is amazing to see how business and government can come together to create solutions. And think about all the new businesses that have arisen through this time. Innovation is alive and well. This year has forced us to become innovative as well. Stay tuned for 2021, we are going to focus even more on innovative ways to reach you as members and deliver content where you are. We are evolving from the GEDA of old into a new era. Priority being on improving our programming and delivering content that’s not only inspiring but can be used as tools for your daily success.
This month Sean McMillan, GEDA 2nd Vice Chair and longtime member of GEDA, announced that he is retiring from UGA. I have a special connection to Sean as he and Gretchen Corbin were my first bosses at GDEcD. Let’s all congratulate Sean on his many years of service to Georgia! You will be missed sir. Because Sean is retiring and leaving us here at GEDA, we are moving our officers up. Thank you so much to Missy Kendrick doing her duty twice on the Nominating Committee, as well as the rest of the committee members. In that regard, we’re happy to announce that Trip Tollison, President & CEO of the Savanah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) is assuming the role of Secretary-Treasurer. Congratulations Trip! I look forward to serving with you next year.
In furthering our efforts, we will be more intentional in 2021 in expanding the pool of candidates for committee chairs and board members. It is important that we get the most talented and well-versed members to serve in leadership of the association. Diversity is key to our future success.
Finally, congratulations to all the awardees from this year’s awards luncheon, I always walk away inspired by your accomplishments. We are blessed to be in the business we are in, impacting the lives of generations. And thus, I celebrate all of you for what you do daily. I wish you all a blessed Holiday Season and look forward to seeing you on the other side of the New Year!
GEDA Member News
GEDA 2020 Leadership
Please say a thank you to your GEDA 2020 Board Members and Committee and Shared Interest Group (SIG) Chairs and Vice-Chairs, who serve selflessly to make GEDA a better organization.
Special thanks to those board members, who are rolling off of the board after serving a three-year term: Grant Buckley (one-year term), Darrell Moore, Kyle Fletcher and Meghan Duke, EDFP!
Chair Chris Pumphrey Douglas County Economic Development Authority First Vice-Chair Andrea Schruijer Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority Second Vice Chair Sean McMillan The University of Georgia Secretary-Treasurer Benjy Thompson Development Authority of Bulloch County Immediate Past Chair Pat Merritt, CEcD, IOM Georgia Electric Membership Corporation
Directors 2020-2022 Lee Chapman Jackson Electric Membership Corporation 2020-2022 Brian Sillitto, CEcD Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce 2020-2022 Andrea Taylor, IOM, GCCE Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber & JDA 2020-2022 Stacy Watson Georgia Ports Authority 2018-2020 Grant Buckley, Esq. Cordele-Crisp County IDC 2018-2020 Meghan Duke, EDFP West Point Development Authority 2018-2020 Kyle Fletcher Thomaston-Upson IDA 2018-2020 Darrell Moore Valdosta State University 2019-2021 Dorie Bacon, CEcD Screven County Development Authority 2019-2021 Walt Farrell Georgia Power 2019-2021 Jessica Hood, EDFP Effingham County Industrial Development Authority 2019-2021 Al Nash Development Authority of Fulton County
GEDA 2020 Committee Chairs
Business Recruitment Charlie Moseley, Georgia Power Vice-Chair, Bob Kosek, Jr., Invest Atlanta
Existing Industry/Workforce Serra Hall, Covington-Newton County Development Authority Vice-Chair, Heath Tippens, Cherokee County Office of Economic Development
Development Authority Executives Cal Wray, EDFP, Augusta Economic Development Authority Vice Chair, Josh Fenn, Henry County Development Authority
Membership Engagement Maceo Rogers, CEcD, City of East Point Vice-Chair, Barbara Grogan, Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority
Annual Awards Molly Olsen, Development Authority of Burke County
Nominating Committee Missy Kendrick, EDFP, IOM, Rome-Floyd County Development Authority
Professional Development Megan Baker, CEcD, Fayette County Development Authority
Public Policy Dan McRae, Esq., Seyfarth Vice-Chair, Grant Buckley, Esq., Cordele-Crisp County IDC
Sponsorship Justin Farquhar, Development Authority of Bryan County Vice-Chair, Rebecca Jordan, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
GEDA 2020 Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) Chairs
Education Pathways & Partnerships Barbara Wall, EdD, Georgia Department of Education, CTAE
Natural Resources Ralph Forbes, PE, Thomas & Hutton Vice-Chair, Ryan Moore, EDFP, Golden Isles Development Authority
Non-Traditional Economic Development Christie Gribble, Fannin County Development Authority Vice Chair, Keith Barclift, CEcD, Catoosa County
P3’s/Redevelopment Travis Stegall, City of Brunswick Vice-Chair, Stephanie Aylworth, Georgia Municipal Association
Research Sarah Carnes, Georgia Power
Rural Development Strategies Saralyn Stafford, University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government Vice-Chair, John Henry, Esq., Douglas-Coffee County Chamber and Development Authority
Young Professionals David Denison, Georgia EMC
Thank you note from Susan Folds, daughter of Milt Folds, former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Industry and Trade, who died on August 13, 2020:
Sean McMillan, Director of the University of Georgia’s Atlanta Office of Economic Development is retiring from The University of Georgia. Sean is the current Second Vice-Chair of GEDA and did a great job as this year’s Chair of the GEDA 2020 Virtual Annual Conference. We are sad to see Sean go but wish him and Patti, his wife, continued health, wealth and enjoyment in his early retirement!
Matt Colvin, Executive Director of Economic Development for the University System of Georgia, has been selected as the University of Georgia’s next Economic Development Director in Atlanta, succeeding Sean McMillan, who retires Dec. 31. Read more…
Chris Pumphrey presenting Missy Kendrick with a framed certificate in appreciation for her serving as nominating committee chair in 2020
GEDA Chair Chris Pumphrey presents board plaque to outgoing board member, Kyle Fletcher of Thomaston-Upson IDA.
Past Chair Pat Topping and Kevin Shea visit with Roddie Anne Blackwell at her retirement reception last week, after serving 40 years at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations, Roddie Anne! Enjoy your retirement!
Project Announcements
** Names highlighted in green below are GEDA members with hyperlinks to their email addresses.**
Boston Consulting Group More Than Doubles Atlanta Presence, Creates 331 New Jobs
December 2, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Boston Consulting Group (BCG), one of the world’s leading management consulting firms and premier employers, will invest $18 million in expanding their Atlanta Business Services Center. The internationally known company’s expansion in the state will result in 331 additional jobs in Fulton County.
Compliments to Emily Poole, Project Manager Region 3, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Sabrina Wright, Assistant Director, Business Retention, Expansion & Workforce Programs, Bob Kosek, Assistant Director, Economic Development, and Nathan Regan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development, Invest Atlanta; Rebecca Jordan, Senior Project Manager, Metro Atlanta Chamber; Steve Foster, Community Development Manager, Georgia Power; and representatives from the Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District; who worked collaboratively on this competitive project! Read more…
Hyundai TRANSYS to Invest More Than $240 Million in West Point Expansion, Create 678 Jobs
December 1, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Hyundai TRANSYS, a world-renowned producer of automotive parts, will invest more than $240 million in expanding their operations in Georgia, creating 678 full-time long-term positions at a new manufacturing facility in the West Point area.
Congratulations to the following team members: Meghan Duke, EDFP, Economic Development Director, West Point Development Authority; Amanda Fields, Senior Project Manager Region 4, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Charles Stallworth, Business Recruitment Director, and Jim Lovett, Community Development Manager, Georgia Power; and Rodger Brown, Director of Strategic Communications, Georgia Quick Start; who worked collaboratively to make this competitive project a reality! Read more…
Georgia-based FiberVisions Invests $48 Million in Expanding Covington Operations
November 24, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Georgia-based FiberVisions, a subsidiary of Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited and a major employer in Covington for more than 50 years, will invest $48 million in expanding its polyolefin fiber manufacturing operations in Newton County. This expansion, which comes in response to a sharp increase in demand for hygiene products made with bicomponent fibers such as face masks and baby wipes, will create 21 additional jobs.
Way to go Dave Bernd, Executive Director, and Serra Hall, Vice President of Project Development, Newton County Industrial Development Authority; and Kristen Miller, Senior Project Manager Region 5, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; who worked as partners on this project! Read more…
Dongwon Tech Corporation to Open Advanced Manufacturing Plant, Sales Office in Hall County
November 18, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Dongwon Tech Corporation, a supplier of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts and CR/DR systems, will invest $700,000 in opening an advanced manufacturing facility and sales office in Hall County, delivering 40 jobs to the Gainesville area.
Commendations to Tim Evans, Vice President–Economic Development, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce; Yoonie Kim, Director of Korean Investment, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and Bradley Harris, Manager, Economic Development, Georgia EMC; who worked together on this project! Read more…
MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc. to Open Southeastern U.S. Manufacturing and Distribution Hub in Butts County, Create Nearly 400 Jobs
November 17, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc. will make a significant and long-term investment in opening a Southeastern U.S. manufacturing and distribution hub near the City of Jackson in Butts County, creating nearly 400 jobs.
Kudos to the team, who worked to locate this project: Bob White, Executive Director, Development Authority of Butts County; Ashley Varnum, Director of the Automotive, Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Charles Stallworth, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; the Metro Atlanta Chamber Economic Development team; and the Georgia Quick Start team! Read more…
Electric Vehicle Manufacturer TEKLAS to Open North American Headquarters in Georgia, Create 120 Jobs in Calhoun
November 10, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that TEKLAS, a Turkish advanced research and development, manufacturing company and supplier of electric vehicle (EV) parts, will invest $6.5 million in opening their first North American facility and headquarters in Gordon County, delivering 120 jobs to Calhoun.
A shout out to Kathy Johnson, President, Development Authority of Gordon County; and Fernanda Kirchner, Project Manager, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); Doug Coffey, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; and Rodger Brown, Director of Strategic Communications, Georgia Quick Start; who teamed up to win this competitive project! Center of Innovation for Logistics, a Division of GDEcD, also provided freight analysis to support the project and company planning. Read more…
December 1, 2020 –Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp today announced the recipients of the ninth annual Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities. The awards were presented in partnership with the Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Humanities. Read more…
Robins International Industrial Park in Peach County Certified as ‘Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development’ (GRAD) Site
November 23, 2020 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), in conjunction with the Joint Development Authority of Peach County and the City of Warner Robins, today announced that Robins International Industrial Park, located at 101 Leamington Boulevard in Byron, has earned a “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” (GRAD) certification with “Select” status. The site’s new “GRAD Select” status provides an additional seal of approval that makes it especially attractive for future industrial development. Read more…
Georgia Department of Economic Development Applauds SK Innovation, Jackson County on Expanding Education Investment in Georgia Schools
November 20, 2020 —Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson was joined by SK Battery America President Jun-ho Hwang, Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce President Jim Shaw, and education leaders in Jackson County at the Georgia State Capitol to celebrate electric vehicle battery manufacturer SK Innovation’s continued investment in Georgia, as well as their significant donation to expanding educational opportunities in Jackson County. This donation will be matched by the Jackson County. Read more…
Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Commissioner Pat Wilson thanked SK Innovation and Jackson County leaders for their donations to education in the community at a small ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol on November 19, 2020. The high-resolution photo is available here.
(Pictured left to right: Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce President Jim Shaw, Empower College and Career Center CEO John Uesseler, SK Battery America President Jun-ho Hwang, GDEcD Commissioner Wilson and Commerce City Schools Superintendent Joy Tolbert.)
Georgia Shatters Previous Record, Earns Top Business Ranking for Eighth Consecutive Year
November 12, 2020 – As the world’s greatest golfers teed off today at the Masters Tournament in Augusta to compete for the prized Green Jacket, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that the State of Georgia has shattered its own record by being named No. 1 for business climate for the eighth consecutive year by Site Selection magazine. Read more…
Georgia Economic Development Investments, Job Creation Continue Strong Pace in FY21
November 10, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced that Georgia remains on a record pace for economic development investments and job creation in the state during fiscal year 2021. Between July 1 and October 31, Georgia has increased economic development investments by 56% and jobs by 45% compared to the same period last year. Read more…
Thirty-one Georgia Companies Receive 2020 GLOBE Awards, Four Recognized as Exporters of the Year
December 3, 2020 — The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced its International Trade division’s 2020 GLOBE Award recipients. This state-led awards program highlights Georgia companies that entered new international markets in the previous year. During calendar year 2019, GLOBE winners from 17 counties across Georgia collectively entered 75 new international markets. Read more…
Explore Georgia Launches 'Georgia’s Great Escapes Giveaway' to Showcase Safe Travel
ATLANTA, November 9, 2020 — Explore Georgia, the tourism division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, has launched a new vacation giveaway, “Georgia’s Great Escapes Giveaway.” The Georgia’s Great Escapes Giveaway showcases safe travel in the state through inspirational safecation guides and a chance to win a two-night, three-day getaway to one of five distinctive Georgia destinations – Atlanta, Blue Ridge, Milledgeville, Savannah and Thomasville. Read more…
s Varnum
Sign up for the Georgia Safety Promise! GEDA has and you can, too. 
Chris Pumphrey presenting Missy Kendrick with a framed certificate in appreciation for her serving as nominating committee chair in 2020
GEDA Chair Chris Pumphrey presents board plaque to outgoing board member, Kyle Fletcher of Thomaston-Upson IDA.
Past Chair Pat Topping and Kevin Shea visit with Roddie Anne Blackwell at her retirement reception last week, after serving 40 years at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations, Roddie Anne! Enjoy your retirement!
