Walton Elected to SEDC Board of Directors

PCDA’s Executive Director, Gary Walton, CEcD, was recently elected to serve on the board of directors of the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC). Originally organized in 1946, SEDC is the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America. Membership in the organization represent 17 states in the American South, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

“I am honored to serve on the board of directors for this historic organization. I look forward to working with SEDC’s outstanding staff, officers and the other state directors to serve economic development practitioners throughout the American South.” Walton said. He recently completed a two-year term as president of the West Virginia Economic Development Council (WVEDC).

This year’s board and officers also include another West Virginian, 2nd Vice Chairman Mallie Combs-Snider, Executive Director of the Hardy County Rural Development Authority in Moorefield, WV. Ms. Angie Cognevich serves as this year’s chairman. Ms. Cognevich is Southeast Regional Manager with the Mississippi Development Authority in Hattiesburg, MS.

The next major event for the organization will be its third annual "Meet the Consultants" event March 18th in Chicago, IL. The day-long meeting will feature panels of site location consultants addressing trends and issues affecting many business sectors and their location decisions. The day will wrap up with an evening reception and networking opportunity to meet the invited site location consultants.

SEDC’s 2010 annual conference will be held August 14-17 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana.