STAFF & BOARD MEMBERS

Chad Newell serves as President of the Area Development Partnership (ADP) in Hattiesburg, MS, a position he has held since December 2009. The ADP is the regional chamber of commerce and economic development organization for Greater Hattiesburg, MS.

Chad has worked in the private, public, and private nonprofit sectors for three decades in Mississippi, Alabama, andTennessee. He has led teams in facilitating projects that resulted in the investment of billions of dollars and thousands of jobs created across the Southeastern United States.

Chad is keenly focused on servanthood leadership, hiring right fit talent, and creating an intentional corporate culture that drives results. Chad is a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. He serves on numerous boards and advisory councils and is an active leader at Venture Church in Hattiesburg.

Chad, a native Mississippian, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Mississippi State University and earned a master’s degree in Economic Development from The University of Southern Mississippi. He and his wife Jennifer have been married for 31 years and have two sons, Garrett and Brooks, one daughter, Jordan, and one grandson Brantley.

Todd spent the first ten years of his career as an Engineer in advanced manufacturing facilities around the country and is now utilizing that background to serve the Area Development Partnership as Executive Vice President, providing leadership to both the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Divisions. Much like the mission of the ADP, Todd’s focus every day is continually improving the quality of life in the region through economic progress. The ADP team is a group of talented hard-working professionals that work on a wide array of programs and projects to positively impact the community and Todd plays a vital role in that progress.

The first seven years of Todd’s career were spent in the engineering ranks of GE Plastics in New York, Indiana, and Alabama as a part of GE’s Operations Management and Leadership Program. This unique experience afforded him the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and skills in the manufacturing sector across many different advanced manufacturing facilities. In 2011, Todd had the privilege of moving back home and spent three years in engineering leadership roles with a new hi-tech startup company, which eventually introduced him to the field of economic development and the great work of the ADP.

A native of Poplarville, Mississippi, Todd is a 2004 graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, and since moving to Hattiesburg, has also developed a love for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.  In 2013, Todd was honored by his Leadership Pine Belt Class with the Susan Walker Community Leadership Award for exemplifying outstanding leadership and commitment to the enhancement of Greater Hattiesburg.  He is also a graduate of the 2018 Leadership Mississippi class, and in 2023 was honored as Pearl River Community College’s Alumni of the Year.  Outside of work, Todd serves as a Deacon at Crosspoint Community Church and is very involved with the United Way of Southeast MS through his service as a volunteer, Board Member, and Past Chair of the Board. Todd and his wife, Jennifer, enjoy adventures with their two boys Nolan (15) and Grant (11).

Gwen Hicks was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2022, after serving as the Finance Director for the Area Development Partnership since 2014. She oversees all financial and administrative functions of the ADP and related organizations, and reports to the board of directors. A native of Hattiesburg, Gwen is a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi, where she received her B.S.B.A. in accounting. She began her career with almost 10 years in banking, including employee benefits and special trust accounts administration. Gwen has 28 years of experience, both in profit and non-profit accounting. Gwen and her husband Ron, enjoy spending family time with their three grown sons, and have been blessed with three daughters-in-law and five precious grandchildren.

Chelsey graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing from The University of Southern Mississippi in May 2013. After completing her undergraduate studies, she entered the Economic Development and Tourism Master’s program in the Spring of 2014. Throughout her graduate career, Chelsey served as President of the Student Economic Development Association, Research Assistant to the Director of the Trent Lott National Center, and as an economic development intern for the Stone County Economic Development Partnership. In Fall 2014, Chelsey was selected as one of 12 graduate students elected into the inaugural 2015 Graduate Student Hall of Fame for her capstone project on the Adventure Tourism Impact Study in Covington County.

After graduating from the Master’s Program in 2014, Chelsey joined the Area Development Partnership (ADP) as Research Manager, where she managed numerous research initiatives focused on job creation/retention, workforce development, and business recruitment for the Economic Development Team. Since her beginning at the ADP, Chelsey has advanced to the role of Vice President of Marketing and Research. Chelsey and the ADP team have received numerous communication and marketing awards for their graphic materials. Her accomplishments have been recognized with several honors, including being named one of Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Under 40 Business Leaders in 2019, a 2023 Distinguished Woman by the Mississippi Business Journal, a 2024 Mississippi Business Journal Business Woman of the Year Finalist, and the 2024 Volunteer of the Year for the Downtown Hattiesburg Association.

Chelsey serves as Vice Chair of the Downtown Hattiesburg Board, Chair of the Promotions Committee, and is also a board member of Pine Belt Foster Resources. When not at work, Chelsey is an avid reader, a master of power tools and woodworking, and enjoys spending time outside with her dog Keely. She is a proud member of CrossPoint Church, where she also serves in various capacities.

Adam Schraeder is the Vice President of Economic Development for the Area Development Partnership located in Hattiesburg, MS. In this role, Adam is responsible for developing strong working relationships with state, regional and all economic development allies to promote economic growth and improve the quality of life for the citizens of the Greater Hattiesburg area. He also provides professional project management support of new business recruitment and the retention or expansion of existing businesses in the Greater Hattiesburg area.

Prior to his role with the Area Development Partnership, Adam worked at Mississippi Power from 2014-2022 where he held several positions within Marketing and Sales before becoming a Project Manager in the Economic Development department. Adam joined Mississippi Power in September 2014 after six years at Sherwin Williams, where he was promoted through their Management Trainee Program on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

He graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing. He began pursuing his Master of Business Administration degree through Southern Miss in 2020 and will graduate in the spring of 2023. He is very involved in the community and has been serving on the United Way Board of Directors since 2021.

Adam and his wife Sarah have been married for 17 years. They live in Hattiesburg with their three children: Madelyn (18), Griffin (14) and Avery (13) who are all very active at their schools and are involved in plenty of extracurricular activities.

Colby Bennett received her Master’s degree in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. Colby earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi with a major in Integrated Marketing Communication, a minor in Business Administration, and a Media Sales and Management specialization.

As a Graduate Research Assistant, Colby has worked on several projects related to economic development in Mississippi. These projects include an MS workforce funding alignment assessment, a market feasibility study for an Accelerator/Business Incubator in Jackson County, and updating The University of Southern Mississippi Economic Impact Study.

Colby’s economic development interest includes community revitalization, where strategies are created to generate jobs in underdeveloped regions. Her interests also include downtown revitalization and real estate planning. In a role as Community Development Manager, Colby can pursue these interests and assist in the economic growth of the greater Hattiesburg area.

Kaitlyn serves as the Community Development Manager for the Economic Development team, where she assists in leading education, military, and legislative initiatives.

A proud graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Kaitlyn earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. During her undergraduate years, she held various roles within Southern Miss Athletics, gaining experience in athletic marketing, football recruiting, administrative support, and donor relations.

She later earned her Master’s degree in Sports Administration from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. While there, Kaitlyn worked as an athletic marketing graduate assistant, serving as the lead game producer for Belmont volleyball and basketball. In this role, she led scriptwriting and enhanced the programs’ social media presence.

Prior to joining the ADP, Kaitlyn worked as an Administrative Support Specialist for the Southern Miss Athletics Department, where she provided expert administrative assistance and managed both daily operations and special projects with precision.

A Hattiesburg native, Kaitlyn is an active member of Temple Baptist Church and a Delta Gamma alumna. She and her husband, Dax Smith, welcomed their son, Rhodes, in July 2024—and they absolutely adore him. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new places with Dax, Rhodes, and their two dogs, Winnie and Woods.

Vanessa Henson serves as the Communications and Events Director for the Area Development Partnership. She is responsible for the implementation of all Chamber marketing strategies, communications, and public relations activities along with overseeing the planning and coordination of the organization’s monthly and signature events. Vanessa is a native of Prentiss, MS and grew up in Hattiesburg. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi and received a B.A. in Communication. She began her career working with both national and local non-profits. Vanessa served as the Community Relations Director for Christian Services, Inc. where she designed and implemented all marketing and communications efforts. While there, she also managed, THRIVE a program that connected the undeserved population with access to pro bono legal counseling and financial education. Passionate about connecting people and resources, Vanessa values the opportunity to serve members through her time with the Chamber!

Stancey Davis serves as the Communications and Events Manager as part of the Chamber of Commerce division at the Area Development Partnership. In this role, Stancey is responsible for coordinating logistics and executing all events for the organization as well as assisting in communication efforts. Stancey previously worked as a Marketing Associate for Jones Companies and YAK ACCESS. She received her B.S.B.A in Healthcare Marketing from The University of Southern Mississippi and was an active member of Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity where she served as the Public Relations Chair. She is from Columbia, MS.

Ann Scott Mathis currently serves as Membership Director for the Area Development Partnership’s Chamber of Commerce division. She is responsible for all membership recruitment activities as well as maintaining relationships with existing members. As the Membership Director, she is dedicated to bring a better quality of life and build a better community for the Greater Hattiesburg area by uniting individuals and businesses. Ann Scott attended The University of Mississippi and received her B.P.S in Legal Studies and Political Science. Ann Scott began her career working as a Paralegal in the Hattiesburg area. She then changed career paths and became a Marketing Representative for Grace Healthcare, a medical equipment company. Ann Scott and her husband, John, live in Hattiesburg with their children Charley and John Miles.

Jessica is a proud graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in University Studies with an emphasis in Public Relations. Before attending USM, she began her academic journey at Pearl River Community College.

Before joining the ADP, Jessica worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines, where her passion for communication and service took her around the world and exposed her to a variety of cultures. She later brought that same energy and commitment to the statewide nonprofit Extra Table, helping feed people differently across Mississippi through fundraising, digital outreach, and community events.

Jessica is an active Kappa Delta alumna and serves as a Chapter Advisor for the Beta Sigma Chapter at USM. In her free time, you can find her enjoying all that Hattiesburg has to offer or cheering on the Golden Eagles at a USM athletic event.

Chad Newell serves as President of the Area Development Partnership (ADP) in Hattiesburg, MS, a position he has held since December 2009. The ADP is the regional chamber of commerce and economic development organization for Greater Hattiesburg, MS.

Chad has worked in the private, public, and private nonprofit sectors for three decades in Mississippi, Alabama, andTennessee. He has led teams in facilitating projects that resulted in the investment of billions of dollars and thousands of jobs created across the Southeastern United States.

Chad is keenly focused on servanthood leadership, hiring right fit talent, and creating an intentional corporate culture that drives results. Chad is a Maxwell Leadership Certified Team Member. He serves on numerous boards and advisory councils and is an active leader at Venture Church in Hattiesburg.

Chad, a native Mississippian, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Mississippi State University and earned a master’s degree in Economic Development from The University of Southern Mississippi. He and his wife Jennifer have been married for 31 years and have two sons, Garrett and Brooks, one daughter, Jordan, and one grandson Brantley.

bio here

Toby is mayor of Hattiesburg.