Leadership

MCEDP is supported by three dedicated staff members and a Board of Directors made up of local business and community leaders who work collaboratively to facilitate economic, community and workforce development initiatives to achieve our mission.

Natalie Hawkins

President

Natalie joined MCEDP as the President in May 2021 after a 20-year career at the Village of Pinehurst, where she served as the Assistant Village Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a Master of Science degree in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Natalie is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Melanie Thompson

Office Manager

Melanie joined MCEDP in August 2003 and has served as the Office Manager since that time, overseeing daily operations of the organization. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from North Carolina Wesleyan College.

Darryn Burich

Business Development Director

Darryn joined MCEDP in February 2023 as the Business Development Director. He previously served as the Planning & Inspections Director for the Village of Pinehurst for three years after a 20-year career in the planning department at the City of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Darryn earned a Bachelor of Science in Urban & Regional Degree Studies and Geography from the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh and a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

MCEDP Board Members

Our engaged and supportive Board Members oversee our operations.

Paul Barber

Vice President
St. Joseph of the Pines

Sheryl Bare

Client Relations, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group

Holly Bell

Principal/Broker
Carolina Summit Group

Dr. Jenifir Bruno

2026 Chamber Chair
Moore County Chamber of Commerce

Ryan Ciccone

Senior Vice President, Retail Market Manager
First Bank

Taylor Clement

Mayor
Town of Southern Pines

Samantha Cole

2026 President, Mid Carolina Regional Association of Realtors

Chip Cromartie

CEO
Penick Village

Robbie Farrell

Mayor
Town of Aberdeen

Mickey Foster (Vice Chairman)

CEO
FirstHealth of the Carolinas

Sandee Gronowski

Vice President / Commercial Banker
First Citizens Bank

Lin Hutaff (Treasurer)

Owner/Broker
Lin Hutaff’s Pinehurst Realty Group

Jeremy Johnson

Senior Vice President, NC Market President
First Capital Bank

Reg Jones

Managing Director, Open Championships
U.S. Golf Association

Adam Kiker (Chairman)

Principal
LKC Engineering, PLLC

Bob Koontz

Pinehurst Area Leader
Koontz Jones Design + V3

Stephen Later

Partner
Robbins May & Rich LLP

Jamie Ledford

President
Golf Pride

Dr. Tim Locklair

Superintendent
Moore County Schools

Patrick McBrayer

Executive Vice President
The Insurance Center

Kelly Miller

President & CEO
Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Inc.

Pat Molamphy

President
NorthState Insurance & Advisors

Jim O’Malley

Principal
O’Malley Development, LLC

Linda Parsons

President & CEO
Moore County Chamber of Commerce

Tom Pashley

President
Pinehurst LLC

Josh Peyton

President & CEO
Veteran Golfers Association

Patrick Pizzella

Mayor
Village of Pinehurst

Neil Robinette

CEO
C.F. Smith Property Group

Dr. Sandy Stewart

President
Sandhills Community College

Gary VonCannon

Market President
Truist

Phil Werz

President & CEO, Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau 

David Woronoff (Secretary)

Publisher
The Pilot and Business NC