Innovator of the Year Award

Leigh Cockram is an accomplished economic development leader with a strong record of driving investment and job creation. Since 2019, she has served as Director of Economic Development and Tourism for Rockingham County, NC, where her efforts have helped secure over $2 billion in industrial investment and more than 1,700 new jobs. In recognition of her impact, she was named 2021 North Carolina Economic Developer of the Year by NCEDA. Leigh’s experience spans both public and private sectors, including leadership roles at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and as founding Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance. She is also an entrepreneur and inventor, having patented a 360⁰ waistband pocket for leggings, which won the Under Armour Future Show Innovation Challenge and gained national media attention. Leigh is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute.

Jenn Bosser has been the president & CEO of Iredell County Economic Development Corporation since August 2019. Jenn has over 23 years of experience working in a variety of economic development organizations at the state, regional, and local levels, including the North Carolina Technology Association, Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster, Wake County Economic Development, and City of Raleigh. She started her career in the Nation’s Capital with the Washington, DC Economic Development Partnership and moved to North Carolina in 2005. She has served in leadership roles, past and present with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Economic Partnership of NC’s Economic Development Advisory Council, Triangle and Charlotte Commercial Real Estate Women, International Economic Development Council, ULI, and Board Member of Centralina Regional Council’s Economic Development Board. Jenn is a graduate of Towson University with a BA in Communications and a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at Oklahoma University. She is a certified economic developer by the International Economic Development Council and holds her Real Estate Brokers license in North Carolina. She and her husband Robb have three sons.

Nate Groover is the Economic Development Director for the Town of Garner, bringing over 14 years of experience in economic development. Nate has served in economic development roles at the state, regional, and local levels in North Carolina and Florida.  Previously, he served as senior manager of business recruitment at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, where he collaborated with state and local partners, including Garner, to attract 62 businesses, generate 14,788 jobs, and secure $3.6 billion in capital investment statewide. Prior to joining Garner, Nate was economic development manager at Timmons Group, focusing on business development in the Triangle and Eastern North Carolina. Nate holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Central Florida and is currently pursuing a masters of planning and development at East Carolina University.. He is a certified North Carolina Economic Developer through the North Carolina Certified Economic Developer Program at East Carolina University and a Master Economic Development Practitioner through the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program. Nate has also completed coursework through the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the International Economic Development Council. He is also a U.S. Air Force Veteran.

Gary Lanier has served on the NCEDA Executive Committee for the last three years and previously served on the board of directors from 2014 – 2020. He is executive director of the Columbus County Economic Development Commission; a position he has held since 2010. Since 2014, Gary has also served as the county’s planning director. His entry into the economic development profession came after a 30-year career in engineering and manufacturing management with Black & Decker, Eaton Corp. and Hubbell Power Systems. Gary holds a BS in Engineering Operations from NC State University, where his outstanding scholarship earned him the JW Joseph Award. He also holds an MBA from Western Carolina University and an Ed.D in Adult and Community College Education from NC State. In addition to his service to NCEDA, Gary is on the board of directors of North Carolina’s Southeast, Advancement Regional Bank, and several other local boards. A longtime Scout Leader, he is on the executive board of the Cape Fear Council, Scouts of America, and is a Vigil Honor member of the Klahican Lodge of the Order of the Arrow. Gary and Emily, his bride of 40 years, have two grown sons.

Gary Lanier has served on the NCEDA Executive Committee for the last three years and previously served on the board of directors from 2014 – 2020. He is executive director of the Columbus County Economic Development Commission; a position he has held since 2010. Since 2014, Gary has also served as the county’s planning director. His entry into the economic development profession came after a 30-year career in engineering and manufacturing management with Black & Decker, Eaton Corp. and Hubbell Power Systems. Gary holds a BS in Engineering Operations from NC State University, where his outstanding scholarship earned him the JW Joseph Award. He also holds an MBA from Western Carolina University and an Ed.D in Adult and Community College Education from NC State. In addition to his service to NCEDA, Gary is on the board of directors of North Carolina’s Southeast, Advancement Regional Bank, and several other local boards. A longtime Scout Leader, he is on the executive board of the Cape Fear Council, Scouts of America, and is a Vigil Honor member of the Klahican Lodge of the Order of the Arrow. Gary and Emily, his bride of 40 years, have two grown sons.

Nate Groover is the Economic Development Director for the Town of Garner, bringing over 14 years of experience in economic development. Nate has served in economic development roles at the state, regional, and local levels in North Carolina and Florida. Previously, he served as senior manager of business recruitment at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, where he collaborated with state and local partners, including Garner, to attract 62 businesses, generate 14,788 jobs, and secure $3.6 billion in capital investment statewide. Prior to joining Garner, Nate was economic development manager at Timmons Group, focusing on business development in the Triangle and Eastern North Carolina. Nate holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Central Florida and is currently pursuing a masters of planning and development at East Carolina University.. He is a certified North Carolina Economic Developer through the North Carolina Certified Economic Developer Program at East Carolina University and a Master Economic Development Practitioner through the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program. Nate has also completed coursework through the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, the University of Southern Mississippi, and the International Economic Development Council. He is also a U.S. Air Force Veteran.

Dan serves as the Sr. Project Manager and Industrial Practice Leader in the Land/Site department at BGE, Inc.’s Charlotte office, leveraging nearly two decades of engineering and project management expertise. His role as a senior project manager at BGE is fortified by his extensive experience across civil engineering projects encompassing industrial, commercial, residential development, and facility expansions. Driven by a passion for business development, Warrick excels in cultivating enduring client relationships, complementing his technical acumen with deep business insights. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is a licensed Professional Engineer in North Carolina. Beyond his professional pursuits, Warrick enjoys exploring trails and visiting the Outer Banks (as often as possible) with his wife, Erin, and their two children, balancing his commitment to engineering excellence with family adventures.

André brings over 25 years of expertise in civil site development and project management to his role at ESP Associates. His career highlights include leading a wide array of projects such as economic development initiatives, industrial complexes, rail infrastructure, educational facilities, commercial spaces, municipal developments, retail establishments, and public works projects. André has been a pivotal figure in managing large-scale land development projects, serving as the primary point of contact for clients from both the public and private sectors. He excels in guiding teams of professionals and sub-consultants through the design, permitting, and construction phases of projects, navigating complex site constraints and ambitious development objectives with finesse. Currently, André leverages his extensive experience and leadership at ESP Associates, where he continues to drive successful outcomes in civil and environmental consulting.

Clark Duncan is Executive Director and Senior Vice President of the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County, a program of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. Clark has held his current position at the Asheville Area Chamber since June 2018, previously serving as the organization’s Vice President for Economic Development. He joined the chamber’s staff in 2008. Clark is a 1993 graduate of Wake Forest University, where he studied politics and French literature. He also earned a Diploma in French Civilization from Sorbonne University in Paris. A devotee of all things outdoors, Clark lives on the family farm with his wife, Sumner, and son, Sam.

Yolanda Davis Brisco is an attorney in Maynard Nexsen PC’s Economic Development and Corporate & Business Transactions practice groups. She represents US and international companies in a wide variety of industries, with a focus on economic development projects and public-private partnerships; general corporate governance and business transactions; and tax-exempt organization formation, structuring, and compliance.

Prior to joining the firm, Yolanda spent more than a decade in the accounting and nonprofit industries as a consultant. Yolanda received a B.S. degree in Biology and minor in Chemistry from Winston-Salem State University and an M.S. degree in Accountancy from Wake Forest University. After obtaining her masters, she worked for a “Big 4” public accounting firm as a Business Assurance and Advisory Services professional. Thereafter, she obtained a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from UNC-Charlotte and received her J.D. from Campbell University.

Yolanda’s life outside the firm is filled with foodie adventures, sporting events, travel with her husband, Brandon, and loving on their sweet daughter, Briana.

Brittany Brady has been President and CEO of the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development and its sister organization, the Economic Investment Fund of Henderson Count, since October 2017. A 9^th generation native of Henderson County, Brittany served in marketing and business development positions at the Partnership prior to beginning her current role. Her work there has involved lead generation, marketing, digital media, workforce development and client development. Brittany also helped launch Made in Henderson County, a campaign to showcase locally made products and build connections among manufacturers and public-school students. She holds a BS in child and family studies from East Tennessee State University and a Master’s in international hospitality and tourism management from the University of South Carolina. Brittany also is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at Oklahoma University and the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program.

Trey Cash serves as the Economic Development Director for Greene and Lenoir Counties within the North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, advocating passionately for rural eastern North Carolina. Raised on a family farm, Trey gained invaluable experience cultivating tobacco, sweet potatoes, and cucumbers, fostering a deep connection to agriculture and community. Trey’s educational journey is marked by dedication, with studies at Wilson Community College, earning a BS from Western Carolina University, an MS in Leadership from Grand Canyon University, and an MBA from Fayetteville State University. Beyond his professional role, Trey actively engages with his community. He contributes to the Boys and Girls Club of the Coastal Plain Corporate Board, impacting young lives. As a volunteer firefighter for over 16 years, Trey demonstrates selfless dedication to community safety. His involvement on local boards in Greene and Lenoir County reflects his commitment to enhancing community life. Trey Cash embodies service and empathy, leveraging his diverse background and education to drive positive change and foster a brighter future for rural eastern North Carolina.

Marvin J. Price brings a distinguished career in economic development to the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, drawing from significant roles in economic recruitment and development. His portfolio includes spearheading major projects such as Retirement Clearinghouse LLC, GoldenHome International, Porta North America, Dhollandia MFT, 1-800 Contacts, and METYX. Previously, Price served as Vice President of Economic Recruitment at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and held a similar position at the Charlotte Regional Partnership. Beginning his career in Alabama after earning a Master’s in Community Planning & Economic Development from Auburn University, Price has also made impactful contributions at the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, Birmingham Business Alliance, and Spire. His leadership continues to drive influential economic initiatives aimed at enhancing community growth and prosperity.

Ernie Pearson is a member at the Maynard Nexsen Law Firm where he serves as an economic development attorney. Best Lawyers in America listed Ernie as one of only 28 lawyers in the country in the category of Economic Development in 2013, and he has been listed in this category every year since. Ernie has served as Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, worked with over 100 companies in site selection and incentive negotiation projects, and worked in numerous fields like corporate, real estate, and employment law. He obtained his JD from UNC Chapel Hill and his BA from NC State University.

For the past 20 years Raul has served as Sr. Vice President, ECS Southeast, LLP. Responsibilities include overseeing the Company’s economic development efforts across the southeast.  In NC, Raul has been instrumental in implementing the NC Certified Sites Program.  Additional responsibilities include serving in leadership positions on meaningful organizations and supporting a wide range of site as well as project-related economic development efforts.

Raul holds a BS from North Carolina State University. Raul has served in the following organizations: Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) – Chairman and  North Carolina Economic Developers Association (NCEDA) – Two Terms Board Member. He is currently serves on the NC Community Colleges Foundation Board.

Crystal Morphis, CEcD is the Founder and CEO of Creative Economic Development Consulting. Crystal started the firm in 2012 and built it to become the “go-to” economic development consulting firm. The entrepreneurial firm has launched four proprietary programs and has a unique commitment to pay-it-forward through several nonprofit initiatives. Crystal’s experience is as a practitioner and consultant as well as she has expertise in strategic planning, product development, organizational development, economic impact studies, existing business retention and expansion programs, and site selection. In 2005, Crystal earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). She obtained a Master of Science from UNC Charlotte and B.A. from Salem College.

Todd Tucker currently serves as the Director of Economic Development for the Sandford Area Growth Alliance.  In his previous experience he was President of the Surry County Economic Development Partnership for over 13 years . Prior to that, he was a Senior Business Development Representative at Progress Energy in Raleigh before the utility’s merger with Duke Energy. In addition, Todd held positions at the North Carolina Department of Commerce for over seven years.  He is a 1991 graduate of NC State University and holds a CEcD designation from the International Economic Development Council. He and his wife, Conni, have two children, Anna Kate and Grey.

Julie Pruett is the Development Manager at Marlboro Development Team. She joined Marlboro Development Team with over 24 years of experience in economic development in the Charlotte region of North Carolina. She works to expand Marlboro Development Team’s presence in North Carolina through the pursuit of build-to-suit industrial projects, speculative development, sale/leasebacks, and strategic acquisitions in the industrial sector. Julie obtained the internationally recognized designation of Certified Economic Developer in 2009. She holds an MPA from Appalachian State University and a BA in political science from Lenoir-Rhyne University. Julie is also a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.

Timothy Downs is the Regional Director for North Carolina Economic Development with Thomas & Hutton, a multidisciplinary civil engineering firm. Partnering with local and state-level agencies, Timothy helps clients develop a vision for attracting industries to their communities through various engineering services. He has nearly 20 years of professional public experience with a range of expertise in law and economic development. Timothy’s previous roles include Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce; Director of Economic Development for Craven County; Executive Director for the Craven 100 Alliance; and Deputy Director of the Office of Economic Development for Dayton, Ohio. A licensed attorney in Ohio and North Carolina, Timothy earned his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, and a BS in Zoology from NC State University. He is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional by the National Development Council. Timothy is an active member of NCEDA, ULI, and SEDC and a graduate of Leadership North Carolina, Class XXIX. Timothy and his wife, Emily, have three children.

Andre Lennon, PE, is Civil Practice Lead at Civil & Environmental Consultants. He has held his current position at the firm’s Charlotte office since April of this year. Andre was previously Senior Project Manager there. His work primarily involves projects in commercial and residential development, educational facilities and the power industry. He is a 1999 graduate of Auburn University, where he majored in civil engineering. Andre also holds a Professional Engineer designation. He and his wife, Danielle, live in Fort Mill, SC, with their two young children.

Chris Platé joined the NCEDA board in July 2017. He is executive director of Monroe-Union County Economic Development, which oversees economic growth and diversification in one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing counties. Chris was NCEDA’s Economic Developer of the Year in 2016, an award that recognized his success with major expansions at O’Neil Digital Solutions, ATI Specialty Materials, Glenmark Pharmaceutical and other companies. In 2002, he launched the Aerospace Initiative in Monroe, a cluster development strategy that has since yielded the highest concentration of aerospace companies in the Carolinas. Prior to joining the staff of Monroe-Union County Economic Development in 1999, Chris held economic development positions in York and Chester counties, South Carolina. He earned a BS degree in economics from Clemson University, where he minored in political science and law. Chris and his wife are parents of two children.

Dr. Pat Mitchell began her latest leadership role at NCEDA in 2017. She was an officer and director of the organization prior to becoming assistant secretary of Commerce for rural economic development in September 2013. Pat is an assistant professor at Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies. She served nine years as director of economic development in Ashe County and two of those years as county manager. From 2001 until 2004, Pat taught courses in East Carolina University’s MPA program. She is a graduate of Berry College in Rome, Georgia where she studied language arts and political science, and she holds masters and doctoral degrees in public administration from the University of Georgia. She also holds the CEcD designation from the International Economic Development Council. In addition to her service at NCEDA, Pat serves on UNC School of Government Foundation’s board of directors. She lives in Fleetwood.

Carl Rees serves as Senior Economic Developer for ElectriCities of North Carolina. In this role he has the privilege to work on community and economic development projects in some 70 public power communities across the state. A native of Eastern North Carolina, he has worked in a variety of capacities for North Carolina local governments since 1995. Prior to ElectriCities, Rees served as Economic Development Manager for the City of Greenville, North Carolina. In this capacity Rees led a full-service economic development office that engaged in business recruitment and expansion activities as well as support for small business and entrepreneurship. Beginning in 2004, Rees accepted the challenge of leading redevelopment efforts in Greenville’s urban core while serving as primary staff person to the City’s Redevelopment Commission. From 1995-2003, Rees served in a number of city planning positions for municipalities in eastern North Carolina. Rees is a proud graduate of East Carolina University, University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute and Leadership North Carolina and was previously an enlisted soldier in the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

Kelly Andrews, CEcD, has been Pitt County’s Economic Development Director since October 2020. She previously served as the organization’s Associate Director since 2006. Prior to her career in economic development, Kelly worked as an Apprenticeship and Training Consultant at the North Carolina Department of Labor. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce and the ECU Engineering Advisory Board.  From 2007 to 2014, Kelly was on the board of United Way of Pitt County, serving as Secretary for two years and chairing its Workforce Development Committee.  A native of Bethel, she holds undergraduate degrees from Peace College (now William Peace University) and UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business. Kelly earned an MBA from East Carolina University and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at Oklahoma University. She was awarded her CEcD designation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in February 2020.

Brittany Brady has been President and CEO of the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development and its sister organization, the Economic Investment Fund of Henderson Count, since October 2017. A 9^th generation native of Henderson County, Brittany served in marketing and business development positions at the Partnership prior to beginning her current role. Her work there has involved lead generation, marketing, digital media, workforce development and client development. Brittany also helped launch Made in Henderson County, a campaign to showcase locally made products and build connections among manufacturers and public-school students. She holds a BS in child and family studies from East Tennessee State University and a Master’s in international hospitality and tourism management from the University of South Carolina. Brittany also is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at Oklahoma University and the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program.

Loren Hill is the Carolina Core Regional Economic Development Director for the Piedmont Triad Partnership. He has been in that role since early 2021, working with the 17 counties of the Carolina Core – Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Cumberland, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Harnett, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin. He returns to the NCEDA board for 2021-2022 after serving previously from 2013-2016.  For twenty years, he was president of the High Point Economic Development Corporation. In that role, he worked closely with the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce in the Guilford County Economic Development Alliance, formed as a collaborative effort with Guilford County, City of High Point, and City of Greensboro. His career also includes being Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications for the Greensboro Chamber, a governmental affairs consultant for the Greensboro-High Point real estate industry, and a Marriott hotel general manager in several states. A former two-term councilman for the Town of Jamestown in Guilford County, Loren earned a BA in political science from UNC-Chapel Hill. He and his wife Joyce live in High Point.

Jason McLeod has been a member of NCEDA since 2014 and joined ECS in 2013 after almost a decade working in commercial real estate brokerage across southeastern North Carolina. His career transition to ECS was fortified by the company’s commitment and investment in local economic development throughout the state. Jason is the immediate past chair of Brunswick BID, serves on the board of directors of North Carolina’s Southeast, and was a member of the executive committee for BASE. He volunteers regularly on various subcommittees focusing on funding and strategic planning. In 2020, Jason was appointed by the New Hanover County Board of Education to serve on the board of trustees of Cape Fear Community College.

Martyn Johnson has worked in economic development for 40 years, for local, regional, and state economic development agencies in Michigan and North Carolina.  Over those forty years Martyn has been involved in projects creating over 16,250 jobs and $2.6 billion of investment. He is an IEDC Certified Economic Developer, an NDC Certified Economic Finance Professional with a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney, Australia, Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University.

Speaker Tim Moore is currently in his second term as the presiding officer of the North Carolina House of Representatives. First elected to the General Assembly in 2002, Speaker Moore represents Cleveland County. He is a lifelong resident of Kings Mountain and holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned is Juris Doctor degree from the Oklahoma City University School of Law.  After passing the North Carolina Bar Exam, Speaker Moore returned to Cleveland County to practice law in Shelby, becoming a partner at the firm of Flowers, Martin, Moore, & Ditz, P.A., where he practiced until 2009. He then founded his own firm, Tim Moore, Attorney at Law, P.A., in Kings Mountain, where he currently practices. Speaker Moore also serves as the County Attorney for Cleveland County and General Counsel for the Cleveland County Water Board of Commissioners. He resides with his two sons, McRae and Wilson, in Kings Mountain, where he is a member of First Baptist Church.

State Senator Phil Berger has served as President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate since 2010, the first Republican to hold the office since the 19^th century. Representing Rockingham County, he was first elected to the Senate in 2000, where he quickly earned respect for his advocacy for common sense, conservative reforms in state government. In 2004, his Senate colleagues elected him Minority Leader. Senator Berger grew up in a working-class household in Danville, Virginia, where he learned the value of hard work.  He worked in a local factory and as produce manager in a grocery store while attending Averett University and raising two children. He was the first in his family to graduate. Senator Berger then worked his way through law school at Wake Forest, graduating early. He practiced law briefly in Charlotte and Raleigh before settling in Eden, where he runs the Berger Law Firm. Senator Berger is married to his high school sweetheart, Pat. The couple has three kids – Phil Jr., Kevin and Ashley – and four grandchildren.