Staff

Gary Chandler, President and Chief Operating Officer

Gary Chandler, President and COO

A native of Tupelo, Mississippi, Gary holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Alabama.

Upon graduation from college, he worked for U.S. Congressman Bud Cramer for eight years as special assistant and field representative in the Muscle Shoals and Huntsville (Alabama) district offices. He has completed the New South Economic Development Course, the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, and most recently TVA-Economic Development Division’s Tennessee Valley Rural Leadership Institute.

Gary serves on Steering Committee for the Commission on the Future of Alcorn County and the CREATE Foundation’s Commission on the Future of Northeast Mississippi. He is on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Corinth and Alcorn County. Gary serves on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Economic Development Council as well as the Southern Economic Development Council’s Legislative Affairs Committee.

He has assisted in locating Burke’s Outlet, Goodwill, Wendy’s and Papa John’s in Corinth and helped to save 200 jobs from the former ACT Electronics Company as Ayrshire Electronics came to Corinth. Gary also facilitated an expansion in late 2010 of Ayrshire Electronics, which ushered in over 50 new jobs. Gary also initiated discussions and fostered the creation of the TAP Alliance. The TAP Alliance is a regional economic development partnership consisting of Tishomingo, Alcorn and Prentiss Counties in northeast Mississippi.

Responsibilities

Serves as the executive for The Alliance
Oversees finances and day-to-day operations
Leads Corinth and Alcorn County’s economic development efforts

Denise Joyner, Office Manager

Denise graduated from Kossuth High School in Alcorn County and attended Northeast Mississippi Community College. She has over 14 years’ experience in working within nonprofit organizations.

Responsibilities

Handles financial operations, including accounting and purchasing
Conducts employee orientations
Maintains personnel records
Oversees employee benefits
Works directly with the Finance and Membership Council to implement membership benefits and programs
Recruit new members and coordinate Alliance events, including the annual appreciation luncheon for existing businesses and industries
Prepares The Alliance’s annual report and the Community Guide/Membership Directory
Oversees the member ad and website banner ad programs
Assists with the annual agriculture tour and banquet, the agricultural scholarship program, and the annual wildlife supper

Kelly Rinehart, Marketing and Membership Coordinator

Kelly Rinehart, Marketing and Membership Coordinator

Kelly graduated from the Winona Academy, received a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Mississippi State University, and went on to complete a master’s degree in technology at MSU.

Responsibilities

Works with the membership of The Alliance to help them market their businesses
Serves as graphic designer for The Alliance
Maintains The Alliance website
Assists in Retail Development in Corinth and Alcorn County
Maintains relationships with member businesses
Assists with creating the Community Guide/Membership Directory
Recruit new members and assists in coordinating Alliance events, including the Annual Meeting and various membership events
Works with the Finance and Membership Council to implement membership benefits and programs

Andrea Rose, Community Development Director

Andrea received an associate’s degree from Rock Valley College, and holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. She is a 2008 graduate of the Leadership Alcorn program. She serves on the National Advisory Committee for the Keep America Beautiful Cigarette Litter Prevention Program, Kiwanis of Corinth Board, and is a member of the Mississippi Economic Council and the Mississippi Economic Development Council. She has received the Keep Mississippi Beautiful Pat Fordice Award for Excellence, while leading Keep Corinth-Alcorn Beautiful to numerous state and national awards over the past five years.

Responsibilities

Facilitates business seminars
Manages adult and student leadership development programs
Leads retiree recruitment efforts
Directs education initiatives Corinth to College and Mississippi Scholars
Supports programs to address drop-out prevention and recovery
Promotes local commerce initiatives
Provides leadership for the Keep Corinth-Alcorn Beautiful programs
Created and directs Corinth Area Young Professionals
Maintains awareness of programming through various media outlets