Staff and Board

Jeff Hendry
Executive Director
(850) 443-7103
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Diane Scholz
Director, Rural Economic Development Services
(850) 728-5191
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Jimmy Norris
Chairman, North Florida Economic Development Partnership Board

The Director of Economic Development and Tourism for Suwannee County, Jimmy Norris also serves as Chairman of the North Florida Economic Development Partnership Board and represents NFEDP as a board member of the Florida Rural Economic Development Association.  Additionally, he serves as the Regional Director for North Central Florida on the Florida Economic Development Council.  In the past he has served as the Executive Director of the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce and President of the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. A state-certified building contractor, Norris has also served as President of the Suwannee Valley Builders Association, and has served on numerous boards including RiverOak Technical College and the Suwannee County Development Authority.

Diane Andrews

Diane Andrews has served for two terms as County Commissioner of District 5 in Bradford County. Prior to that she served 33 years with the Florida Department of Corrections, retiring as the Warden at Union Correctional Institution. Andrews is actively involved in creating a stronger economy and community in Bradford County.

James Bennett
Chief Operating Officer, JAXPORT

A member of Baker County Board of Commissioners, James Bennett is also Chief Operating Officer for JAXPORT, the Jacksonville Port Authority, overseeing the port’s three operational divisions. He also oversees the implementation of a capital growth grogram in excess of $250 million annually. He joined JAXPORT in 2017 as Senior Director of Engineering and Construction, and in that role he managed the completion of JAXPORT’s major growth initiatives. An Accredited Maritime Port Executive (AMPE) and licensed professional engineer, Bennett has extensive experience in senior transportation positions in both private and public sectors, including over 20 years with the Florida Department of Transportation.

Doug Brown
Executive Director, Madison County Development Council

Executive Director of the Madison County Development Council, Doug Brown also serves on a number of agency boards of directors throughout North Florida. He has lived in Madison County since 1986 and served as a counselor, instructor and administrator at North Florida College for 26 years, and as the superintendent of the Madison County School District from 2012 through 2016. A native of Oklahoma, Brown holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

George Buckner
Chief Information Officer, Central Florida Electric Cooperative (CFEC)

Chief Information Officer for Central Florida Electric Cooperative (CFEC), George Buckner has served CFEC for 16 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies in Information Networking and Telecommunications from Fort Hays State University, an MBA in Information Security Management from Saint Leo University, and a Doctor of Business Administration with a specialization in Computer and Information Security. Prior to joining CFEC, Buckner served in the Navy for eight years and later worked as a fourth and fifth grade teacher.

Craig Callahan
Director of Business Development, ARCO Design/Build

As Director of Business Development for ARCO Design/Build, Craig Callahan is tasked with the primary responsibility to identify prospective clients and create lasting relationships while assisting in the construction process to assure superior customer experience. He is also responsible for growing the brand throughout the Southeast. Callahan has over six years’ experience in the construction industry specializing in sales and business development and holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a master’s in business administration from University of South Florida-St. Petersburg.

Robert Cate
Interim Director, Taylor County Development Authority

Prior to assuming the role as interim director of the Taylor County Development Authority, Bob Cate worked in the paper industry for 44 years serving in serving in roles of increasing responsibility in both mill and corporate manufacturing leadership, and in global environmental, sustainability and capital project assignments.

Danny Collins
Director of Government & Community Relations, Duke Energy Florida

As the Director of Government & Community Relations for Duke Energy Florida, Danny Collins works with local governments and nonprofit organizations across North Florida. He is a native of Monticello and a graduate of the University of Florida.

Donna Creamer
Executive Economic and Tourist Development Director (TDC), Gilchrist County

Donna Creamer serves as Executive Economic and Tourist Development Director (TDC) for Gilchrist County. A native Floridian, she graduated from Lake City Community College with an AS degree in business management as well a general AA degree; she also holds a marketing degree from the Southeast Tourism Society. She applies this background to influence positive economic growth while preserving the region’s natural heritage.

Jennifer Goff Daniels

Prior to becoming Columbia County’s Economic Development Director, Jennifer Goff Daniels served for 18 years in leadership development and training in the call center industry.  She joined the Economic Development Department under the Board of County Commissioners in 2019 as an apprentice to the former director. The daughter of a local farmer, Daniels now focuses on bringing career-centric, high wage, life changing jobs to Columbia County.

Thomas Demps, Sr.

A lifelong resident of Perry, Thomas Demps, Sr., serves as a member of the Taylor County Board of Commissioners and is a past mayor and member of the Perry City Council. Currently he serves as Taylor County’s designated appointee to the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council (NCFRPC); as Chairman of the NCFRPC Finance Committee and as Secretary-Treasurer of the Council’s Executive Committee. He is a representative of the Suwannee River Task Force and is a member of the Taylor County Chamber of Commerce. His past service has also included membership in the Taylor County Development Authority.

Laura DiBella

Florida’s first female Secretary of Commerce, Laura DiBella has also served as President of Business Development at FloridaCommerce; President/CEO at Enterprise Florida; President of the Florida Opportunity Fund (Florida’s Venture Capital arm); Executive Director of Florida Harbor Pilots Association; Port Director of Port of Fernandina Ocean Highway and Port Authority; and Executive Director of Nassau County Economic Development Board. She has also been a Florida licensed real estate broker for over 20 years. Other service includes Immediate Past Chair of the Aerospace Alliance; Vice Chair of the FDOT Freight Advisory Committee; former Vice Chair of Florida State College at Jacksonville District Board of Trustees; and former Vice Chair of Florida Ocean Alliance Board of Directors.

Rocky Ford

A lifelong member of District 2 and a graduate of Columbia High School, Rocky Ford is the owner and operator of a cattle farm in Fort White. He is an enthusiastic supporter of youth programs including the annual FFA Livestock Show and has sponsored a number of District 2’s sports teams in programs including volleyball, football, softball and baseball.

Lawrence “Larry” Harvey

A member of the Putnam County Board of County Commissioners in District 4 since 2014, Lawrence “Larry” Harvey has lived in the county for most of his life, residing in Interlachen for the past 40 years. After graduating from Palatka High School and attending St. Johns River Community College, he received his insurance designation from the University of Florida and served as President and CEO of Harvey Insurance Agency from 1991 to 2014. In addition to his service as County Commissioner, Harvey has served on a number of different boards and councils, including The Florida Association of Counties and the Putnam County Cattlemen’s Association.

Mark Hatch

A lifelong Dixie County resident, Mark Hatch has served as county commissioner of District 3 in Dixie County since 2016.  He is an alumnus of Dixie County High School and continues to support the school through volunteer activities with the Quarterback Club.  Over the years, he has also worked closely with county and coastal communities in providing hurricane assistance.

Diane Head
Executive Director, CareerSource North Florida

As Executive Director of CareerSource North Florida, Diane Head develops vision and strategy with partner organizations to create infrastructure and capacity for a resilient economy in rural North Florida. She is a trained workforce and economic development professional with more than 15 years of immersive commitment to local and regional organizations. A resident of Madison, Head holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a master’s degree from Valdosta State University. She is currently working toward her CEcD credential.

Travis Land
Sales Manager, Jim Hinton Oil Company

A native of North Florida, Travis Land served in banking and real estate prior to 2012 when he joined Jim Hinton Oil Company where he now serves as sales manager for the company’s Live Oak office. As a member of the Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners Land was instrumental in obtaining $49 million in state funding for infrastructure improvements which brought more than 50 new jobs to the area. As Chairman of the Local Technology and Planning Team, he aided the Suwanee Valley Electric Co-op in obtaining over $50 million in grants for service area-wide implementation of high-speed fiber.

Tommy Langford

A lifelong resident of Gilchrist County, small business owner Tommy Langford has served multiple terms on the Gilchrist County Board of Commissioners, including one 10-year term and a subsequent term in 2022 serving District 4. Langford has also served on other boards including the local chamber of commerce and the Suwannee River Economic Council, Inc, and he has played an important role in the recruitment and expansion of businesses including Best Western hotels, Marathon and Dollar General. He is also active in the community.

Mark Litten
VP of Economic Development, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce

Vice President of Economic Development for Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, Mark Litten has over 30 years’ experience leading development groups at the state, regional and local levels. As the President & CEO of Bay Future, Inc., in Bay City, Michigan, he provided leadership in guiding Bay Future through an aggressive three-year capital fundraising campaign that raised approximately $1.3 million. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Director of the Erie County Economic Development Corporation (ECEDC) in Sandusky, Ohio, for nine years. Under his leadership ECEDC was honored in 2005 by Site Selection Magazine as a “Top 10 Economic Development Group in North America,” the first Ohio organization to ever receive the award.

Chadd Mathis
Economic Development Director, Hamilton County Development Authority

As the Economic Development Director for Hamilton County Development Authority, Chadd Mathis leverages an extensive background in both real estate and economic development. Prior to joining the Development Authority he served as a commercial and investment advisor with NAI Commercial Realty Advisors in Valdosta, GA, and prior to that served as Executive Director of Economic Development for the Grady County Joint Development Authority in Georgia for six years. Mathis began his career in diversified land development, branched out in to commercial and investment real estate brokerage before starting his own land development business and eventually becoming co-owner of a multi-unit franchise. A native of Georgia, he graduated from Bainbridge College and Valdosta State University.

Jimmy Murphy

A lifelong farmer and resident of Hamilton County, Jimmy Murphy was elected as County Commissioner in November of 2020 and has worked in that capacity to help recruit industry and commerce in order to provide sustainable livelihoods for the region’s current and future residents.

Scott Osteen
Owner, Osteen Farms

Scott Osteen has been Executive Director of the Nature Coast Business Development Council, LLC, since November 2021. He is also the owner and operator of Osteen Farms, a family business which employs his wife and two sons. A Trenton, FL native and a graduate of Trenton High School, Osteen is a United States Air Force veteran.

Darryl Register
Executive Director, Baker County Development Commission and Baker County Chamber of Commerce

Executive Director of the Baker County Development Commission, Darryl Register has also served as Executive Director of the Baker County Chamber of Commerce since 2007. Prior to that Register served the county for 25 years as a local business owner and economic development volunteer. In addition to his duties at the Development Commission and the Chamber of Commerce, he also serves as a representative for Baker County on several regional boards including Northeast Florida Regional Council, North Florida Economic Development Partnership and CareerSource Northeast Florida.

Karen VanAernam

An Economic Development Liaison for Dixie County, Karen VanAernam also serves as director for a local non-profit organization. A successful entrepreneur, she also owns and operates a women’s fitness center, and she and her husband own a local timber and sod company. VanAernam earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in educational leadership, and she is a certified personal trainer.

Pam Whittle

Since joining the Bradford County Chamber of Commerce in 2002, Pam Whittle has assisted in a number of Chamber projects to expand local businesses, and has worked with county and city managers on an expansion for MHD Rockland which led to significant job growth. She has also served on the board of the Bradford County Development Authority and the local school boards. The owner and operator of a local cattle farm, Whittle has played a prominent and integral role in Rural Counties Days since the event’s inception.

Patrick Wnek
Executive Director, North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC)

Patrick Wnek serves as the Executive Director of the North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC), which supports 13 rural school districts along with the PK Yonge Developmental Research School at the University of Florida and the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. He is actively involved with Executive Committee of the North Florida Economic Development Partnership and serves on the advisory board for the Florida Organization of Instructional Leaders. Wnek holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Florida and is deeply involved in collaborating with educational and business partners to expand educational and career opportunities for students.