Presenter Bios and Presentations

Dr. Humphreys is the Director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.  The Selig Center is an endowed economic forecasting & market research center.  Dr. Humphrey’s is a member of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors – the State of Georgia – and is a monthly columnist for Georgia Trend Magazine.

• Dr. Humphreys has published over 250 applied and academic studies regarding market research, economic forecasting, transportation, and economic development.  In Georgia, Dr. Humphreys is best known for his detailed economic forecasts, but nationally he is best known for his detailed estimates of the spending power of African-Americans, Latinos, and Asian-Americans.
• In 2003, the editors of American Demographics selected Dr. Humphreys as a “Demographic Diamond” – one of the 25 market researchers who have made the most significant contributions to the understanding of consumer trends for business leaders over the last 25 years.
• The Georgia Economic Outlook, which is prepared and written by Dr. Humphreys, has twice received the Association for University Business and Economic Research’s Award for Excellence.
• Dr. Humphreys received his B.A. and Ph.D. (Economics) from the University of Georgia.  He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi.
• Dr. Humphreys consults with clients in the private and public sectors.

Debra Lyons was named by Governor Sonny Perdue as director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development in January 2006. She is responsible for advising the Governor on workforce development policy and implementing initiatives to strengthen the state’s workforce development enterprise. The office provides a platform for collaboration among Georgia’s principle workforce development stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. Additionally, the office provides staffing support for the State Workforce Development Board, of which Lyons serves as executive director.

Lyons also oversees Georgia Work Ready, a one-of-kind workforce development system that links education and workforce development and aligns to the economic development needs of the state, its regions and communities. Georgia Work Ready is built on the state’s voluntary workforce assessment system measuring “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success. Work Ready is the only initiative of its kind to be conducted through a partnership between a state government and state chamber of commerce, ensuring that companies can more reliably match the right people with the right jobs. The initiative is based on a skills assessment and certification for job seekers, a job profiling system for businesses, a community effort to certify a county’s workforce and a regional effort to develop talent pools aligned to growth industries. By identifying both the needs of business and the available skills of Georgia’s workforce, the state can more effectively generate the right talent for the right jobs.

Lyons is the former owner of Debra Lyons Technical Consulting, a small consulting firm specializing in training consulting, including implementation and assessment, communications, public relations, and conference and event planning for technical clients. Prior to starting her own business, she worked as an industrial training specialist. Lyons also previously held the position of associate professor in engineering technology and worked as a design engineer for a major defense contractor.

Lyons recently served on the state board for Georgia’s Department of Technical and Adult Education where she helped establish a cross-education board committee to help build more collaboration among Georgia’s education partners. That leadership role was part of a successful collaborative effort that now includes representatives from all seven Georgia education agency boards. She currently serves on the Alliance of Education Agency Heads Implementation Team and continues to help build cross-education agency collaboration through joint policy implementation.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. She and her husband, Dr. Anthony Lyons, live in Macon, Ga.

P.O. Box 800
Adel, GA 31620
229-896-2575
kswaldron@alltel.net

Kerry is presently serving as the Economic Developer for Cook County, Georgia. A community of 18,000, Cook County is the choice due to it’s leadership, location, and land. Since forming the Economic Development Commission in October 2001, Cook County has been successful in landing over $5 million in federal and state grants; locating 13 companies with over 498 jobs created with an investment of $64 million and 9 expansions from existing companies totaling 174 plus new jobs.

The EDC is currently developing a 3,000-acre mega-industrial corridor. Phase I is completed and consists a 350-acre new industrial park creating 1,750 jobs at projected build-out. Cook County is the #1 producer of turf grass in Georgia and the Steel Building Capital of the South. Cook County is home to the newest tourism venue in the state with South Georgia Motorsports Park- a ½ mile paved oval track and ¼ mile paved drag strip. With over 90 events planned, over 200,000 people are expected annually generating a $37 million regional impact. Cook County is home to JM Eagle pvc pipe company; Sanderson Farms; FinishMaster distrubition; Xella International; BASF-Sparks to name a few.

Prior to relocating to Adel, Kerry served as the City Manager of Quitman, Georgia for 6.5 years and Thomaston, Georgia 5.5 years. During his tenure, Kerry spearheaded the construction of a city owned cable TV system; the purchase of a private water/wastewater treatment facility and reservoir doubling capacities of the city’s infrastructure; and worked to increase service to citizens while reducing costs.

Kerry is serving his 10th year as one of nine board of directors for the Electric Cities of Georgia. ECG represents 49 public power communities in Georgia. In his spare time, Kerry has taught as an adjunct instructor for Columbus State University in the Masters in Public Administration program and is currently teaching American Government for Abraham Baldwin College.  A motivational speaker and author, Kerry’s book Loving Life and Living Large: a commonsense approach to successful livingwas recently published by PublishAmerica. Kerry is a graduate of the University of Florida with a BA in Political Science and holds a Master in Public Administration from Valdosta State University.

With his enthusiasm and go-getter attitude that produces results, Kerry was selected as one of the most 25 influential people in South Georgia. A graduate of Leadership Georgia, Kerry was born in Lake City, Florida and grew up in White Springs on the banks of the Suwannee River.

Mr. Bill Twomey is the Cook County Manager and has been in that position since May 2008. A native of Cook County, Bill graduated from the University of Georgia. He has been in the banking industry for over 15 years. Bill is a member of Kiawnis International, Adel-Cook County Chamber of Commerce and presently serves on the Cook County Economic Development Commission.  He was also the Charter President for the Adel Kiwanis.

Jerry Permenter has been the City Manager of Adel for the past decade and serves as the Chairman of the ECG Power Marketing Services business unit Board of Directors.   Previously he worked for Cook, Carter, Chapman & Company, a CPA firm, and then for the City of Adel for 19½ years as City Clerk/Finance Director.

Along with responsibilities as City Manager, he continues to work closely with the Cook County Economic Development Commission in efforts to expand existing business and to bring new industries and businesses into the region that enhance the opportunities and benefits to the community.

Jerry first graduated from Valdosta Technical College and then received both Municipal Clerk and Finance Officer Certifications from the University of Georgia.

Personal and Professional Organizations:

• Deacon & Sunday School teacher, Springhead Baptist Church
• Board Member and Chairman, ECG Power Marketing Services
• Board Member, Southeastern Federal Credit Union, 120 million dollar financial institution operating in South Georgia
• Member, Georgia City/County Managers Association

He and his wife Sonya have 2 daughters and sons-in-law and a 2-year old granddaughter (Marlee) with a grandson due in May

As Senior Vice President of Duke Realty Corporation’s Atlanta Industrial Group, Chris is responsible for taking the leading role in developing and executing the overall business plan for the Atlanta Industrial Group.

Chris joined Duke in 1996 as a Financial Analyst. Since 1999, he has served as Senior Manager of Acquisitions/Dispositions, Assistant Vice President of Acquisitions/Dispositions and, in 2002, was promoted to Vice President, Acquisitions/Dispositions.  

In 2004, Chris transferred to Leasing as a Leasing Representative for the Atlanta Industrial Group. In 2006, he was promoted to Vice President of Leasing for the Atlanta Industrial Group and has played a leading role in the daily operations of this business unit.

His recent key transactions include a regional distribution center with Dick’s Sporting Goods and built-to-suits with Hartsfield Warehouse and the GSA at Camp Creek Business Center. Chris also played a leading role in overseeing the TAD and revenue reconciliation for the bonds at Camp Creek. 

Before joining Duke, Chris was a Senior Real Estate Consultant for four years and a Tax Accountant for one year with Arthur Andersen, LLP.

Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the College of William and Mary. He serves on the Executive and Finance Committees for the Fowler Family YMCA.

Mike Hickey started Hickey & Associates over 20 years ago.   Headquartered in Minneapolis/St. Paul, the company specializes in Market Selection and Economic Development initiatives, to help corporations determine the best locations to grow, expand or consolidate a business either domestically or globally.

They also advise many communities on Best Practices for business recruitment and retention, Workforce enhancement strategies, and identification and promotion of community assets. 

They are experts in assisting companies with the full Public Incentives process, understanding how to work closely and honestly with communities to ensure the right company lands in the right community at the right time with the right incentives (everyone wins).

Clients are represented by all industries, including Manufacturing, Logistics, Food Processing, Services, Health Care, Consumer Goods, High Tech, Aerospace and Defense, as well as, many others.

With a degree in urban planning, Catherine has more than 20 years’ experience in community business and economic development.  Catherine offers demonstrated successes in positioning communities to effectively compete for new retail and achieve strategic goals for commercial revitalization, growth and expansion in the retail sector.     She is widely published and a recognized expert on community retail attraction and development.    Her work in this area has achieved significant media exposure and resulted in enhanced market perception and considerable new investment for client communities and investors. 
  
Catherine has been instrumental in the development of critical financing and marketing tools while working in local government, and then as a consultant to communities, and private investors.  Her experience is nationwide with communities of all sizes including  Washington, DC; Dallas, Texas; Philadelphia, PA;  Wilmington, DE; Yonkers, NY; Prince George’s County and Baltimore, MD;  Hollywood and Miami Beach, Florida.   Catherine is an active member of APA, IEDC, ULI, and ICSC, and is the incoming Dean for Economic Development, ICSC Institute for Shopping Center Management.

Commissioner Stewart was appointed to his post as Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development, by Governor Sonny Perdue in January 2007.  As chief marketing officer for the state of Georgia, he leads Georgia’s efforts to recruit new businesses and expand existing ones; grow the state’s tourism, international trade and entertainment industries; and support the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs. 

Mr. Stewart spent the majority of his career in private industry.  He served as vice president of Unisource Worldwide, Inc., where he led the company’s south-central sales and distribution division in addition to its retail and specialty manufacturing businesses.  He also held several management positions at Georgia-Pacific, including director of enterprise development, senior director of strategic planning and analysis of G-P’s distribution division, and director of state and local taxes.  Mr. Stewart also worked for Weyerhaeuser Company and Mississippi Power & Light.

Mr. Stewart joined state government in September 2004, when he was appointed director of the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC).

Commissioner Stewart is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, holding a Juris Doctorate from the Woodrow Wilson College of Law in Atlanta.  He earned a B.S. in Business and a B.S. in Forestry from Mississippi State University.  Mr. Stewart also served as a company commander in the Army National Guard.

Career Summary

Ms. Sewell is the vice-president of workforce development services for Wadley-Donovan GrowthTech, LLC, a Wadley-Donovan Group company offering economic development, workforce development, and related consulting services.

At WDG, Ms. Sewell brings her comprehensive senior management experience and skills in strategic planning, business development, program development and implementation to focus on the development of workforce-development services and initiatives.

Before joining WDG, Ms. Sewell was the Interim Executive Director of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), where she was responsible for strategic planning, business and membership development, administering and directing programs and projects, monitoring policy and strengthening advocacy efforts, and advising the Board of Directors, among other functions.

As NAWB’s Senior Director of Marketing, she directed the organization’s overall marketing, communications, and membership programs, and conducted research for product development and policy analysis; comprehensive communication strategies, and effective capacity-building initiatives.

Sharon also oversaw education and training programs that involved conducting needs assessments; developing plans, procedures and presentations; and program evaluation.

Prior to her tenure with NAWB, Ms Sewell served as a consultant to Building Managers and Owners Institute (BOMI) researching international business expansion; the coalition coordinator for the New York City Employment and Training Coalition; New York’s Consortium for Worker Education to establish a Technical Skills Training Center; and at NYATEP Inc, where she managed the development and delivery of technical assistance and training to state and local workforce organizations.

Education

Sharon is a graduate of State University of New York, where she earned a B.A. in English, and of the University of Maryland, where she earned her MBA in International Business. She also holds a certificate in International Business Studies from the University of Antwerp in Belgium.

Professional Activities

Sharon is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the ASAE Future Leaders Program.

Shannon G. Kettering is a Vice President for Ecos Environmental Design, Inc., a landscape architecture and community planning firm in Atlanta specializing in a comprehensive, systems approach to integrating land, water and community.  As supervisor of the Planning Studio, Ms. Kettering manages green infrastructure, multi use trail design and implementation, land use and redevelopment, community visioning and recreational master planning projects at all scales.  A certified National Charrette Planner (NCI), Ms. Kettering provides community facilitation on local planning tools and concepts, smart growth development practices, rural conservation planning and sustainable urban design.

Jim Bruce is president of BFPC, LLC, a Georgia-based consulting firm with major practices in business and industrial site selection, economic development, and general management and economic consulting.

He has been a consultant to projects such as Toyota's first US assembly plants, which located in Georgetown, Kentucky, and Princeton, Indiana; the United Airlines maintenance base in Indianapolis; a major pharmaceutical plant in West Greenwich, Rhode Island; a new Navistar International truck plant in Escobedo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; and many others.

An important part of Jim's consulting work for business is a "mirror image" of site selection, providing counsel to cities, states, and others interested in preparing and promoting their area as a location for the right kind of economic activity. This work has been for an exceptionally diverse range of clients, ranging from the Harlem Commonwealth Council in New York, to a consortium of Native American tribal governments in the Pacific Northwest, to dozens of states, chambers of commerce, and other groups. 

He has been BFPC’s lead working with the Georgia Allies in developing and implementing the “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” or GRAD Site Program, the state’s certified sites initiative.

Jim completed his undergraduate work at Emory University and has a master's degree from Harvard in regional economics.  He has taught on an adjunct basis at several academic institutions including Princeton, Carnegie-Mellon, Georgia Institute of Technology, Auburn, and the US Military Academy; and has been a speaker at many seminars and professional educational programs such as the International Economic Development Council.  Jim has deep roots in Georgia, with both sides of his family going back to the 1700’s.

Randy Cardoza is Managing Director, Economic Development for AGL Resources, a natural gas holding company headquartered in Atlanta.  AGLR is the parent company for five natural gas distribution companies including the largest, Atlanta Gas Light.

Cardoza has over 35 years experience in the field of economic development at the local, regional and state levels. He served as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism from 1990 until mid 2000, working for Governors Harris, Miller and Barnes.  Cardoza was Deputy Commissioner of the Economic Development Division from 1986 until his appointment as Commissioner.  During this time period, Georgia attracted more than 350,000 new jobs and $30 billion in investment.

Prior to joining AGL Resources, Cardoza was Senior Vice President, Economic Development, for the Montgomery (AL) Area Chamber of Commerce and worked on the successful location of the Hyundai automotive assembly plant and several key supplier operations.

Cardoza is now responsible for the AGL Resources economic development program which includes assisting in the five states where AGLR has business operations.  Cardoza works closely with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and other utilities through the Georgia Allies to recruit and retain jobs and investment and in assisting Georgia communities in their economic development efforts.