PERRYVILLE – The Perry County Economic Development Association has named Crystal Jones its new executive director.
Jones, originally from Poplar Bluff, Mo., began her career in economic development in 2010.
Most recently, she served as executive director of the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission, leading regional planning and economic development efforts for five counties and 16 cities within the Ozark Foothills region of southeast Missouri.
Perry County EDA President Kim Moore stated, “The Perry County EDA is very fortunate to have acquired a director of Crystal’s caliber. Her experience, training and familiarity with the region and the key economic development players, will allow her to hit the ground running.” Ms. Crystal Jones will join EDA as Executive Director beginning on May 2, 2022.
She previously worked as director of the Economic and Business Engagement Center at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo. where she directed initiatives that stimulated economic growth throughout the entire southeast Missouri area, including small business, workforce, and entrepreneurship development.
Jones holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Business Administration from William Woods University.
She received her Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED) certification from the Community Development Council in 2017, completed the Harvard Kennedy School executive education program on authentic leadership in 2014, and is a 2012 graduate of the Delta Regional Authority Delta Leadership Institute.
She has participated in many community outreach organizations including the Kiwanis Club of Jackson, Mo. where she has served as president, the Old Town Cape Economic Vitality Committee, board member for Smart Space of Poplar Bluff, and memberships in chambers of commerce throughout southeast Missouri.
She has also served as a board member for the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, Poplar Bluff Industries, Missouri Highlands Health Care, the Ozark Foothills Regional Community Foundation, and the Missouri Association of Councils of Government (MACOG).
Jones resides in Jackson, Mo. with her husband Denny Jones, who is employed at Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Their daughter, Kaylinn, lives in Perryville and works at a Cape Girardeau dental clinic.