Kendrick named chair for GEDA for 2018

SAVANNAH — Melissa “Missy” Kendrick, EDFP, IOM has been elected Chair of the Georgia Economic Developers Association. Missy was elected on Sept. 22 at the business meeting of the organization’s Annual Conference on Friday at the Hyatt Regency Savannah.

She will officially take office in January 2018.

Kendrick has been the President of the Development Authority of Polk County for just over one year. She previously served as the Executive Director at the Barnesville-Lamar County Industrial Development Authority since October 2005.

She has also worked as the Executive Director of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority; Outlaw Consulting, Inc. as a Senior Consultant; and in several capacities with the Meriwether County Chamber of Commerce/ Development Authority.

Kendrick was honored by GEDA in 2013 as its Committee Member of the Year and was given a plaque by Governor Nathan Deal. Kendrick is a graduate of Gordon State College and holds professional certifications in Organization Management and Economic Development Finance, and has two children.

Other officers elected at the meeting include: Pat Merritt, First Vice Chair, and Vice President, Community and Economic Development, Georgia EMC; Chris Pumphrey, Second Vice Chair, and Executive Director, Development Authority of Douglas County; Andrea Schruijer, Secretary- Treasurer, and Executive Director, Valdosta- Lowndes Development Authority; and Anna Chafin, Immediate Past Chair, and Chief Executive Officer, Development Authority of Bryan County.

The speakers, topics and events of the conference, which took place Sept. 20 through Sept. 22 at the Hyatt-Regency in Savannah, were specially chosen to highlight leadership development for Georgia economic developers.

Nearly 450 attendees were at this year’s conference, titled “Georgia - The State of Momentum.”

A notable address by Jason Stein, Publisher and Editor, Automotive News talked about the automotive sector and its promise for Georgia. Other key speakers included Pat Wilson, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and Camila Knowles, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Community Affairs; who shared about collaboration with economic developers from the state’s perspective.

Griffith Lynch, Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority provided insight into the resources of Georgia’s Ports.