CLARKSDALE, Miss. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is proud to recognize 29 new graduates of its Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy — an extensive leadership development program that brings together public, private and nonprofit sector leaders from the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions
Representing the 2024 DLI Executive Academy Class, graduates hail from various cities and towns within DRA’s eight-state service region, including Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. The leadership class was selected through a competitive application process led by DRA’s board of governors and federal co-chairman to complete the annual nine-month program designed to empower a corps of servant leaders with the tools, experiences and networks to address local and regional economic development challenges.
“The Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy equips a dedicated and diverse group of leaders to drive change within and outside of their communities and accelerate prosperity across the region,” said Dr. Corey Wiggins, DRA Federal Co-Chairman. “We are thankful for these leaders for entrusting us to help support them along their DLI journey, and we look forward to the great things they will accomplish in their communities with an enhanced set of skills and knowledge.”
During the program, graduates participated in six in-person sessions led by local, regional, and national experts and covered policy areas and skills related to public infrastructure, regional transportation systems, workforce development, coalition-building and other fields necessary to facilitate economic development in the Delta. Graduates then culminate with enhanced decision-making skills, policy development know-how, strengthened leadership capacity, and a mutual understanding of regional, state, and local culture and issues.
“Investing in people and fostering meaningful connections is essential for creating lasting change in our region,” said Sea Talantis, DRA Director of Human Infrastructure. “The Delta Leadership Institute unites a diverse group of leaders from across the Delta, who may come from different places but face similar challenges. This experience provides them with the tools, knowledge, and relationships they need to return home and inspire growth in their communities. Together, they form a passionate and driven network, ready to create positive, transformative change.”
Since 2005, the DLI Executive Academy has provided leadership development to nearly 700 community leaders from diverse backgrounds, sectors and industries to improve economic competitiveness and social viability throughout the Delta region. Upon completion of the leadership program, graduates become a part of the DLI Alumni Network to engage with other DLI alumni for ongoing engagement and support of the region.
The 2024 DLI Executive Academy graduates include:
Alabama
Albert Turner, President/CEO, Emerson Company; Marion, Ala.
Terrence Windham, Mayor; Aliceville, Ala.
Warren “Billy” Young, Assistant Attorney General, Alabama Department of Revenue, and President, Selma City Council; Selma, Ala.
Arkansas
Tomeka Butler, Mayor, City of Eudora; Eudora, Ark.
Jennifer Hobbs, Mayor, City of Wynne; Wynne, Ark.
Yancey Kyle, Field Representative, Congressman Bruce Westerman; El Dorado, Ark.
Dr. Karen Powers-Liebhaber, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Foundation Director, Black River Technical College; Pocahontas, Ark.
Jamie Redd-Wright, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Alliance for Rural Impact; Harrisburg, Ark.
Illinois
Jennifer Huson, City Administrator, Jackson County; Murphysboro, Ill.
Veronica McCurdy, Trustee, Village of Tamms; Tamms, Ill.
Lee Messersmith, Mayor, City of Benton; Benton, Ill.
Kentucky
Whitney Walker, Director of Marketing and Communication, Kentucky Community and Technical College System; Gilbertsville, Ky.
Mark Welch, President, Fulton-Hickman Counties Economic Development Partnership; Murray, Ky.
Louisiana
Evan Boudreaux, MPA, Director of Economic Development, Policy and Public Affairs, St. Mary Parish Government; Franklin, La.
Roderick Hampton, Mayor, Town of Haynesville; Haynesville, La.
Meaghan McCormack, Chief Executive Officer, St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation; Chalmette, La.
Meghan Risinger, Executive Grant Writer, City of Monroe; Monroe, La.
Clarence Vappie, Mayor, City of Baldwin; Baldwin, La.
Mississippi
Thomas Gregory, Executive Director, Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation; Greenwood, Miss.
Marvin Jones, Circuit Clerk and County Registrar, Humphreys County; Belzoni, Miss.
Danielle Morgan, Executive Director, Mississippi Tourism Association; Carrollton, Miss.
Nichole Rosebud, Mayor, City of Tutwiler; Tutwiler, Miss.
Missouri
Amy Baugus, Project Officer, Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission; Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Jake Crafton, Mayor, City of Kennett; Kennett, Mo.
Nichole Zielke, Senior Community Development Specialist, Meramec Regional Planning Commission; Beaufort, Mo.
Tennessee
Shannon Haynes, Chief Prosperity Officer, Ayers Foundation; Alamo, Tenn.
Cheryl Green, Director, Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship, Aspen Institute; Memphis, Tenn.
Janna Hellums, Northwest Tennessee Regional Director, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development; Jackson, Tenn.
Alisha Montgomery Melton, Executive Director of Research, Outreach and Economic Development, University of Tennessee at Martin; Dresden, Tenn.
For more information about DRA’s DLI Executive Academy, visit Delta Leadership Institute – Delta Regional Authority at dra.gov/programs/human-infrastructure/.
About the Delta Regional Authority
The DRA was established in 2000 as a formal framework for joint federal-state collaboration to promote and encourage the economic development of the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions. To fulfill this purpose, DRA invests in projects supporting transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, workforce training, and business development. DRA’s region encompasses 252 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.