Experience

Joined LCDA in 2024

• United Way of the Coastal Empire (Bryan, Chatham, Effingham & Liberty counties), President & CEO 2020-2024
• Savannah Economic Development Authority, COO 2013-2020, VP of Competitiveness & Communications 2010-2013, VP of Marketing 2008-2010, Director of Marketing &Public Relations 1996-1999 & 2004-2008
• World Trade Center Savannah in tandem with SEDA, VP 2011-2020
• Creative Coast Alliance in tandem with SEDA, Executive Director 2008-2010
• Other marketing & administrative positions with Savannah Technical College Foundation, Savannah Music Festival, Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau, and private firms, 1991-2004

Education

• Bachelor’s of arts in journalism, focus on advertising and communications, University of Georgia
• Georgia Tech Economic Development Course
• Leadership Georgia, Leadership Southeast Georgia, Leadership Savannah

Community Service/Memberships

• Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Rotary Club of Savannah, 2008
  • Georgia Rotary Student Program, International Host Family, 2 years
• Housing Savannah, Inc. Board of Directors
• Housing Savannah Task Force Co-Chair
• Georgia Southern University Parker College of Business Advisory Board
• Leadership Southeast Georgia Board of Directors, Vice Chair
• Savannah State University College of Business Advisory Board
• Savannah Technical College Foundation Board of Directors
• Savannah Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors
• Step Up Savannah, Poverty Reduction Initiative, Communications Champion

Professional Memberships/Honors

• Member of the SEDA team honored with the McKinley “Mac” Conway Award for Excellence
• Savannah Technical College Community Star
• International Economic Development Council Award for Multi-year Economic Development Programs, specifically for the effort to advance and grow the film and television production industry
• SIDEBAR Development Authority Board Member Training, Savannah,
• Leadership Southeast Georgia Board Chair
• Woman of Distinction, Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia
• Savannah Marketing Group – Founding Member
• Small Business Advocate of the Year, Savannah Small Business Chamber
• Top Ten Working Woman in Savannah, AWWIN
• ACE award from the Business Marketing Association of New York and the highest International Economic Development Council Award for the SEDA Annual Report
• Certified Instructor in Choices: Ethics for the Workplace, Impact Training Corporation
• Member of the SEDA team named one of the Top 10 Economic Development Groups by Conway Data/Site Selection Magazine
• Council for Urban Economic Development, Gold Award for Annual ReportEmail: brynn.grant@comegrow.global

Experience:

Joined LCDA in 1996; 32 years office management experience in corporations and government

Education:

Associate Degree in Accounting from Savannah Technical College;

Responsibilities:

Monitors the day-to-day operations of the Authority’s staff, industrial parks, projects, utility service, property owner’s association, and airport. Manages comprehensive project management activities with public/private economic development community such as state or utility project managers, consultants, brokers, or potential companies.

Professional Course Certification Programs:

Economic Development – Georgia Institute of Technology
Economic Development – Georgia Academy for Economic Development

Professional Memberships:

International Economic Development Council
Georgia Economic Developers Association
Greater Savannah Regional Alliance – Secretary & Board Member
Georgia Rural Water Association
Liberty College and Career Academy Board

Work Experience:

Office Manager at All American TV & Stereo (NC)
Project Office Manager at International Paper (GA)
Business Services Representative at Coastal Utilities (GA)
Bookkeeper & Office Assistant at Liberty County Development Authority (GA) 1996 to 2004
Finance Manager & Workforce Development at Liberty County Development Authority (GA) 2004 to 2009
Director of Administration & Finance at Liberty County Development Authority (GA) 2009 to 2015
Director of Operations & Business Development at Liberty County Development Authority (GA) 2015 to 2023
Chief Operating Officer 2024-Present

Email: carmen.cole@comegrow.global

Joined LCDA in 2024

Experience

• Seabolt Real Estate, 2019-2024, Sales Associate & Client Relations
• Benedetto Guitars, 2016-2019, Director of Marketing
• My Agency, 2014-2016, Marketing Coordinator
• Abshire Public Relations, 2012-2013, Director of Communications
• Savannah Economic Development Authority, 2003-2011, Director of Marketing & Communication

Education

• Bachelor’s of Business Administration in International Business and Marketing, University of Georgia
• Licensed Real Estate Agent, Georgia Association of Realtors

Email: katie.dye@comegrow.global

Experience

Joined LCDA in 2024

• Director of Finance, Roam Luggage 2022-2024
• CPA, Elizabeth E Hancock CPA LLC 2011-2022
• CPA, Skinner, Barndollar & Lane PC 1996-2011
• Operations Analyst, American Red Cross 1994-1996
• Industrial Engineer, Gulfstream Aerospace 1992-1994

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant, 1999

Education

• Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Community Service/Memberships

• Rotary Club of Savannah East, Past President
• Savannah Christian Preparatory School, volunteer 2005-2020
• Boy Scouts of America, volunteer 2007-2013

Email: beth.hancock@comegrow.global

Education:

B.S. in Journalism, University of Kansas

Work Experience:

Reporter/sports editor/editor at Custer County Chief (NE)
Editor at Creston News Advertiser (IA)
Tangipahoa Parish Bureau Chief for Hammond Daily Star (LA)
Editor Coastal Courier (GA)
Marketing/Research Director at LCDA (GA) 2018 to present

Email: pat.watkins@comegrow.global

Experience:

Joined LCDA in 2007; 25 years working in public sector

Education:

Attended Savannah Technical College

Responsibilities:

Provides initial reception and assistance to callers & visitors. Maintains daily accounts receivables. Processes accounts payables. Prepares and process utility invoices for customers. Maintains insurance information for contractors and leases.

Memberships:

Hinesville City Council Member since 2016

Email: diana.reid@comegrow.global