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.
Sheryl Bare
Client Relations, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Pinehurst Realty Group
Holly Bell
Principal/Broker
Carolina Summit Group
Hugh Bingham
Executive Vice President & Regional Executive, First Bank
Scott Brewton
Vice President
St. Joseph of the Pines
Taylor Clement
Mayor
Town of Southern Pines
Chip Cromartie
CEO
Penick Village
Robbie Farrell
Mayor
Town of Aberdeen
Mickey Foster
CEO
FirstHealth of the Carolinas
Sandee Gronowski
Vice President / Commercial Banker
First Citizens Bank
Tom Holderfield
Partner
Pinehurst Auto Group
Lin Hutaff (Treasurer)
Owner/Broker
Lin Hutaff’s Pinehurst Realty Group
Adam Kiker (Chairman)
Principal
LKC Engineering, PLLC
Bob Koontz
Principal
Koontz Jones Design
Stephen Later
Partner
Robbins May & Rich LLP
George Little (Vice Chairman)
Owner
George W. Little & Associates
Dr. Tim Locklair
Superintendent
Moore County Schools
Kelly Miller
President & CEO
Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Inc.
Pat Molamphy
President
NorthState Insurance & Advisors
Amy Natt
2024 Chairperson
Moore County Chamber of Commerce
Micah Niebauer
CEO
Southern Pines Brewing Company
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
Pat Pizzella
Mayor
Village of Pinehurst
Neil Robinette
Dr. Sandy Stewart
President
Sandhills Community College
Donathon Stover
2024 President, Mid Carolina Regional Association of Realtors
Emily Tucker
District Manager, Aberdeen Region
Duke Energy
Wayne Vest
County Manager
County of Moore
Gary VonCannon
Market President
Truist
Phil Werz
President & CEO, Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
David Woronoff
Publisher
The Pilot and Business NC