Jennifer Lay
Summary
Team minded Community Development practitioner with a passion for empowering local communities through community and economic development.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Community Development
Mississippi Main Street Association
09.2019 - Current
- Served as liaison for all MMSA member communities, providing technical service and resources as needed.
- Worked with the Executive Director and MMSA Team to develop and execute an organized budget for community services.
- Developed and implemented new processes and timelines for the collection of community compliance data to meet State and National requirements, including the collection of semi annual re-investment statistics, training National Accreditation guidelines.
- Developed the Designation Pathway to streamline the process and timeline for new communities interested in joining MMSA and sustaining membership as a fully designated program.
- Served as a team member for all Roadmap Teams, providing community and tourism development recommendations.
- Worked with MMSA Staff to develop MMSA Directors Manual and other collateral to be provided as training resources for new and current local program directors.
- Worked with Director of Marketing and Communication to maintain a robust and organized Resource Center for programmatic needs.
- Served as a spokesperson for MMSA making presentations and attending partner events and conferences.
- Assisted MMSA Executive Director in identifying funding opportunities and recruiting annual investors.
- Assisted in Legislative Advocacy for MMSA with local, state and national officials.
- Worked with partners and contractors to facilitate trainings and grant program work.
- Developed framework and facilitated Program Alignments to prepare MMSA Designated programs to be compliant with new National Main Street Accreditation standards and formal program evaluations..
- Worked with National Main Street staff to prepare for bi-annual program evaluations to begin in 2024.
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Greater Starkville Development Partnership
07.2018 - 09.2019
- Managed administrative functions of The Partnership, carrying out and enforcing policies set forth by the Board of Directors which include, but are not limited to, management of staff, financial management and marketing.
- Served as staff liaison to Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority (OCEDA).
- Serves as liaison The LINK for the development, expansion and marketing of industrial and economic development within Starkville and Oktibbeha County.
- Worked in conjunction with the City of Starkville and Retail Strategies to assist in strategic retail recruitment.
- Served as spokesperson and representative of The Partnership at events and with partner organizations.
- Prepared monthly board of director reports and managed monthly meetings, including preparation of agendas, meeting minutes and thorough financial reports.
- Responsible for preparation and management of the annual budget for The Partnership, CVB, Main Street Association and OCEDA.
- Served as staff liaison to CPA for preparation and annual audit for all entities- presenting strong fiscal reports and clean operations.
- Managed the physical property of The Partnership and OCEDA, including multiple tenants, lease agreements and property management duties.
- Updated business processes to establish strong foundational business operations.
- Engaged positively with staff and leadership colleagues, soliciting and encouraging feedback and collaborative spirit.
Director of Tourism
Greater Starkville Development Partnership
04.2016 - 07.2018
- Managed the Convention and Visitors Bureau working closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to develop and implement a strategic vision to promote Starkville as a premier destination in the state and region.
- Managed board meetings, planning and recommending policies and programs and overseeing complex financials, including an annual audit.
- Worked in conjunction with Mississippi Development Authority, Visit Mississippi, Mississippi Tourism Association and other organizations, lobbyists and planners to promote conventions, tourism, retirement development and general tourism.
- Managed tourism grant program to provide funding to organizations and event operators seeking to develop programming to generate tourism and economic impact.
- Developed and maintained relationships with media, governing officials and legislators to promote the hospitality industry.
- Developed and managed marketing and advertising campaigns to positively promote Starkville and The Partnership to visitors, potential convention planners, tour operators, film agencies and retirees.
- Provided oversight and strategic planning to the Special Events and Projects Coordinator.
Special Events and Projects Coordinator and Starkville Community Market Manager
Greater Starkville Development Partnership
01.2013 - 04.2016
- Directed, established, and implemented multiple and complex special events in support of the activities of The Partnership and CVB, including but not limited to: Chamber Lunch & Learns, Business After Hours, Power Breakfasts; GSDP Annual Banquet, Get Swept Up; CVB & Main Street Pumpkinpalooza, Downtown Block Party, unWINE Downtown, Holiday Bazaar, Christmas Parade.
- Managed the Starkville Community Market, including recruiting and coordinating vendors, ensuring compliance with State farmers market regulations, managing entertainment, marketing and promotions, budget, directing set-up and cleanup.
- Achieved and retained annual MS Certified Farmers Market designation.
- Maintained strong relationships with internal and external partners.
- Developed and maintained event related resource materials such as, procedure manuals, and files of events materials and post mortem evaluations.
- Assisted CVB Director with planning and implementation of marketing campaigns.
Education
Mississippi State University
Skills
- Strategic Planning
- Public Speaking
- Community Outreach
- Event Planning
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Economic Development
- Project Management
- Budget Management
- Community Engagement
Affiliations
Mississippi Tourism Association
Mississippi Economic Development Council
Southeast Tourism Society
Public Relations Association of Mississippi
Main Street America Institute
Certification
Tourism Marketing Professional- Southeast Tourism Society
Timeline
Director of Community Development
Mississippi Main Street Association
09.2019 - Current
Interim Chief Executive Officer
Greater Starkville Development Partnership
07.2018 - 09.2019
Director of Tourism
Greater Starkville Development Partnership
04.2016 - 07.2018
Special Events and Projects Coordinator and Starkville Community Market Manager
Greater Starkville Development Partnership
01.2013 - 04.2016
Mississippi State University
Similar Profiles
Sara StaufferSara Stauffer
Interm Director at Ottawa Main Street AssociationInterm Director at Ottawa Main Street Association
Cydney JamisonCydney Jamison
Virtual Media Assistant at H Street Main Street Virtual Media ProgramVirtual Media Assistant at H Street Main Street Virtual Media Program
Natasha MitchellNatasha Mitchell
Medical Receptionist at Mississippi State University - Main CampusMedical Receptionist at Mississippi State University - Main Campus
Bryce ClarkBryce Clark
Director of Community Development at The Coffee OasisDirector of Community Development at The Coffee Oasis
Tolvi PattersonTolvi Patterson
Director of Community Development at GEO AcademiesDirector of Community Development at GEO Academies