 Paul Sims/SDN The Greater Starkville Development Partnership Board elected new officers Friday. Pictured are the group’s officers and other members of its Executive Committee. These include, from left, back row: Jack Wallace, representing the Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority, Michelle Amos, representing the Starkville Chamber of Commerce and Terry Kemp, past chair; front row, Sammy Slaughter, treasurer, Amy Tuck, chair, Steve Langston, vice chair and chair-elect and Albert Clark, secretary. Not pictured is Michelle Jones, representing the Starkville Convention and Visitors Bureau. By PAUL SIMS
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Former Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck, who is “driven for the betterment of our entire community,” is the new chair of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership.
Tuck, a special assistant to Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum, presided over the Mississippi Senate for 8 years. She now serves as the third chair for the GSDP, which is the economic, community, retirement and tourism development organization for Starkville and Oktibbeha County.
A Maben native, she was the second female in Mississippi history to serve in statewide office and is the first woman to chair the GSDP panel. She is the third person to the hold the position.
The GSDP was organized in 2001 with the Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority, the Starkville Chamber of Commerce and the Starkville Convention and Visitors Bureau as member organizations.
She was elected to the two-year post along
with a new slate of officers Friday and began presiding over the meeting almost immediately upon her election.
“I’m excited that she brings to the table her experience in state government and at Mississippi State University and the respect that she has earned in both venues,” said GSDP President and CEO Jon Maynard after the meeting.
“The ability to make connections and call on resources is the cornerstone to successful economic development. Amy brings to us a vast network – both public and private – of influential decision makers.”
Maynard says: “She is also extremely well-organized and driven for the betterment of our entire community. We have an existing relationship of mutual respect and we look forward to developing that in the future.”
After the meeting Tuck thanked Terry Kemp and Tommy Tomlinson, the panel’s past chairs. “We are grateful for all they have done,” Tuck said.
“Personally, I appreciate the trust the Partnership has placed in me by selecting me” to chair the board, she said.
Tuck says she’s been honored to serve as a board member and she’s very pleased with the cooperation she’s seen in those who represent local government, business, the entire community and surrounding area and MSU as they work “to provide opportunities for this region.”
She says she’s looking forward “to building on and expanding the collaborations that will provide economic opportunity and contribute to the improved” quality of life for the area.
Other GSDP officers elected along with Tuck Friday include: Steve Langston, vice chair and chair-elect; Albert Clark, secretary and Sammy Slaughter, treasurer.
These officers serve on the GSDP’s Executive Committee along with Jack Wallace, representing OCEDA, Michelle Amos, representing the Chamber, Michelle Jones, representing the CVB and Terry Kemp as past chair.
Editor’s note: Additional information developed from Friday’s GSDP meeting will appear in the Sunday edition of the Starkville Daily News.
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