BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GDEcD board meetings are held on a quarterly basis (February, May, August and November). Dates, times, locations, and additional information are subject to change.                                                                                                 

Next Meeting:

February 18, 2026  
Time: 2:00 pm  
Location: The Woodruff Arts Center
1280 Peachtree St NE,  
Atlanta, GA 30309 

Any questions concerning this meeting should be directed to Gina McKinney: [email protected]

Board Book

November 2025 Board Book
August 2025 Board Book
May 2025 Board Book
February 2025 Board Book
November 2024 Board Book

Meeting Minutes

August 2024
November 2023
August 2023
May 2023
February 2023
August 2022
May 2022
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Board of Directors

Mark Bassford
Mark Bassford
President, Bassford Companies
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Scott Blackstock
Scott Blackstock
Founder & CEO, Tidal Wave Auto Spa
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Sandra Bland
Sandra Bland
President, Vidalia Brands, Inc.
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Cassius F. Butts
Cassius F. Butts
Founder, Capital Fortitude Business Advisors
About
Jake Carter
Jake Carter
Owner & Operator, Southern Belle Farm
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Dennis Chastain
Dennis Chastain
President & CEO, Georgia Electric Membership Corporation
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Shehzaan Chunara
Vice President of Development, Chunara Group of Companies
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drew ellenburg
Drew Ellenburg
Owner, The Ellenburg Chair Company
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Randall Hatcher
Randall Hatcher
CEO, MAU Workforce Solutions
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Allen Hodges
Allen Hodges
President, Hodges Land and Timber, Inc.
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Julie Hunt
President, J.H. Services, Inc.
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Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson
Principal Architect, Hussey, Gay, Bell
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garnett johnson
Garnett Johnson
Mayor, City of Augusta, Owner, Augusta Office Solutions & Modern Business Workplace Solutions
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Sarah-Elizabeth Langford
Sarah-Elizabeth Langford
Executive Director, Development Authority of Fulton County
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mitch malcom
Mitch Malcom
Owner, Collegiate Construction
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John J. “Jay” Neely
John J. “Jay” Neely, III
Chairman, Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance
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a head shot of mulham shbeib
Mulham Shbeib
Vice President of Finance & CFO, Mar-Jac Poultry, Inc.
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Marisa Simpson of Southern Company Gas
Marisa Simpson
Director of Legislative & Governmental Affairs, Atlanta Gas Light (Southern Company Gas)
About
jay_wells
Jay Wells
President, Premier Enterprises, Inc.
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june wood
June Wood
Former Commissioner, Henry County
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Jose Perez Headshot
Jose Perez
Retired President, Target Market Trends, Inc
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Harry S. Pierce, Jr. headshot
Harry S. Pierce Jr.
Co-founder & CEO, Hard Time Products, LLC
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David Tyndall
David Tyndall
Founder & CEO, Collaborative Real Estate
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Advisors to Board

Grant Cagle
Grant Cagle
President & CEO, Georgia Economic Developers Association
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chris clark
Chris Clark
President & CEO, Georgia Chamber
About
Asher Dozier
Asher Dozier
Director, Economic Development for the University of Georgia (UGA), Energy Engagement Lead, UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government
About
Arthur Tripp Jr.
Arthur Tripp Jr.
Vice President, Economic Development, Georgia Power
About
Bradley Harris
Bradley Harris
Manager, Economic Development, Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (Georgia EMC)
About
Daryl Ingram
Daryl Ingram
Sr. Vice President of External Affairs, Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG)
About
William Pate
William Pate
President, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
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Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah)
Rep. Ron Stephens
Chairman, Economic Development & Tourism Committee, Georgia House of Representatives
About

Click the link to learn more about
Georgia Department of Economic Development Board of Directors