Wade Jones - President

In February, 2001, Wade C. Jones was named president of the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation, the chamber/economic development organization for Meridian and Lauderdale County.

Mr. Jones is a native of Greenville, Mississippi, and graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing. He joined the Delta Council in 1979 as Assistant Director of Economic Development. Two years later, he became Assistant Manager of Economic Development at the Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce and was later advanced to the position of Manager of Public Affairs. In 1983, Mr. Jones became the Executive Director of the Gulfport, Mississippi, Chamber of Commerce.

Joining Mississippi Power Company in 1987, Mr. Jones was assigned as Manager of Legislative Affairs for the Gulfport based company. He has held several managerial assignments for Mississippi Power as Manager of the Biloxi area in 1993, and in 1997, as Division Manger in Meridian with responsibilities for an eight county area.

Mr. Jones is an active volunteer in local area civic and community development organizations. He and his wife, Wanda, have five children and reside in Meridian. The family attends Central United Methodist Church.

Skip Scaggs - Manager of Business Development

A native of Meridian, Skip was educated in Meridian Public Schools and graduated from Meridian Community College before earning a degree in American Studies from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. After graduation, Skip began his career in the field of economic development at the Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce as the Manager of Existing Industry and International Business. There, he gained the experience that led him to the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development (now Mississippi Development Authority) in 1997 and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration in 2001.

In 2003, Skip took the opportunity to return to his hometown to become the Manager of Business Development for the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation. At the EMBDC, he is responsible for marketing and recruiting new industry along with the organization’s effort to support existing industry.

Sheri Rush - Manager of Operations

Sheri Rush has been Manager of Operations for the EMBDC since September 1999. In her role, she is responsible for all financial aspects for the EMBDC as well as various organizations affiliated with the EMBDC, maintains employee benefits, payroll administration and assists in Chamber of Commerce functions. Sheri is a 2003 graduate of Leadership Lauderdale.

Prior to joining the EMBDC, Ms. Rush held the Office Manager position for Clarkdale Water Association. Additionally, she was employed by the Greater Meridian Chamber of Commerce from 1976-1989.

Sheri is married to Jack Rush and has three daughters and one granddaughter. She attends Jones Chapel Church in the Clarkdale Community.

Sharon Romano - Executive Assistant to the President

Originally from South Jersey, Sharon Romano and her family moved to Naval Air Station Meridian in 1989, from Camp Pendleton, California with the Marine Corps. A graduate of Katharine Gibbs School, Sharon joined the Meridian/Lauderdale County Chamber of Commerce in 1990, as Administrative Assistant to the Executive VP. She has worked through all of the subsequent organizations into her current position in the EMBDC.

In her role as Executive Assistant to the President, she maintains the corporate calendar, schedules appointments, coordinates all travel arrangements, maintains the membership database and provides staff support for EMBDC committees. Sharon and her husband, Jimmy, have two children, a son-in-law and two grandchildren. She and her family reside in Meridian.

Sara Carmichael - Manager, Chamber of Commerce

Sara holds a degree in Broadcast Communication and has an extensive background in Marketing, PR, and Recruitment. She has worked as a radio executive for Harris Marketing Agency in Jackson, MS. She brings educational experience to her resume from her time spent working as Director of Campus Life at Meridian Community College and as a Recruiter for Riley Hospital. Most recently Sara was in the role of Manager of Education Relations for the EMBDC providing a link between the business community and the school districts through programs and public relations.

She also maintains state and community relationships by staying actively involved in American Chamber of Commerce Executives, US Chamber of Commerce, MS Economic Development Council, MS Alliance for Arts Education, Public Relations Association of Meridian, Southern Public Relations Foundation, Meridian Kiwanis Vice President, Meridian Museum of Art Board of Directors, Meridian Little Theater Board of Directors, Company of Angels, Meridian Symphony League Vice President, and Young Professionals of Meridian.

Gladys Waters - Receptionist

Ms. Waters, a native Meridian, greets everyone who visits the EMBDC. She has been with the Chamber since June 1994.

Danielle Winningham - Public Relations Coordinator

In 2007, Danielle Winningham joined the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation as the Public Relations Coordinator. In this capacity, Winningham coordinates media coverage for the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development group in East Mississippi. Additionally, she serves as a staff person for the Young Professionals of Meridian and is a liaison between the business community and local governments. A native of Meridian, Mrs. Winningham is a highest honors graduate of West Lauderdale High School. After earning her Associate of Arts degree from Meridian Community College, she continued her education at Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. There she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English. After being offered a job at her alma mater, Winningham returned to Meridian and began her career at Meridian Community College where she specialized in Student Affairs and Leadership Development among students and faculty.

Actively involved in the community, Winningham is the Public Relations Chairperson for FBCC and is a member of PRAM, Mississippi Economic Council and various other organizations. She is married to Allen Winningham of Rainbow City, Alabama.