Athens EDC press release
The board of Directors of the Athens Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) selected officers for the Corporation at its annual meeting on Oct. 7. AEDC is funded by a ½ cent sales tax for economic development in the City of Athens for economic development. The Corporation is governed by a seven-member Board which is appointed by the City of Athens City Council.
Officers for the new year are: President Jess Laird, Vice President Maurice Cox, Treasurer Jeaneane Lilly, Secretary Carmen Hunt.
Laird replaces outgoing Board President David Holdredge. Holdredge was president of the board the previous year and has served on the board since January 2008. Holdredge will be recognized at the Athens Partnership Center’s Open House on Oct. 24.
Laird said he is “looking forward to working with the board and the Athens City Council on helping Athens grow.” Laird also said that he “appreciated the leadership and work that Mr. Holdredge has provided the EDC.”
Laird also welcomed back two reappointed board members, Kelly Smith and Carmen Hunt. Smith will be serving his final term and Hunt will begin serving her first full term. Laird also recognized new board member Jeaneane Lilly. Lilly and her husband, Kevin, own Lilly Enterprises which operates 13 McDonald’s franchises in East Texas. In addition to her position with Lilly Enterprises, Lilly has been active in the Athens Kiwanis, the Athens Chamber of Commerce and the Athens ISD Campus Improvement program.
The Athens City Council approved the AEDC board members at its regular meeting on Sept. 22.