NCEDA’s Board of Directors

NCEDA is governed by a volunteer board of directors consisting of passionate leaders from all sectors of economic development and allied professions. The board is devoted to serving the needs of our members, our sponsors and the people of North Carolina.

The 2024 Board of Directors application period will open April 2, 2024. Contact Liz Dobbins-Smith with any questions.

Officers 2022-23

President

Chris Platé
Monroe-Union County Economic Development
About Chris Platé

Vice President

Joanna Helms
Town of Apex
About Joanna Helms

Secretary/Treasurer

Gary Lanier
Columbus County Economic Development Commission
About Gary Lanier

Immediate Past President

John Nelms
Duke Energy
About John Nelms

Directors 2023

Josh Hallingse
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
About Josh Hallingse
Jason McLeod
ECS Southeast
About Jason McLeod
Ryan Nance
NC Electric Cooperatives
About Ryan Nance

Directors 2024

Kelly Andrews
Pitt County Economic Development
About Kelly Andrews
Brittany Brady
Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development
About Brittany Brady
Carl Rees
ElectriCities of North Carolina
About Carl Rees

Directors 2025

Clark Duncan
Economic Development Coalition for
Asheville-Buncombe County
About Clark Duncan
Andre Lennon
Civil & Environmental Consultants
About Andre Lennon
Todd Tucker
Aqua North Carolina
About Todd Tucker

Ex-Officio

Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders
NC Department of Commerce
Christopher Chung
Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
Scott Hamilton
Golden LEAF Foundation
Blake Moyer
Surry County Economic Development Partnership
Liz Dobbins-Smith
NCEDA

Contact Liz Dobbins-Smith at 888.246.2332 if you have any questions or
would like to join a planning committee.