Lou Ann Nisbett of Pine Bluff, president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, was named the 2012 Outstanding Economic Developer Tuesday by the Arkansas Economic Developers at the group’s annual conference at Rogers.
Benny Ryburn III, 2011 president of the Monticello Economic Development Corp., was named the 2012 Volunteer of the Year by the AED.
Nisbett, who took over the helm of The Alliance six years ago after serving as economic developer in Marshall, Texas, was cited for helping direct a successful sales tax campaign to finance economic development in Jefferson County.
She said she is blessed with “an amazing group and staff” working on a common goal of attracting jobs to the county.
“It really is a team working together,” Nisbett added. “That’s how we get a lot done for Pine Bluff and Jefferson County.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“The real treasure in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County are the people,” she said.
Ryburn, a successful businessman, has honored for continually dedicating his time, talent and energy into growing and improving Monticello and Drew County.
He has encouraged the pursuit of projects and initiatives to lift up the
His work has included researching the timber holdings around Lake Monticello for the city. He worked with the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s School of Forest Resources to develop a timber management plan for the property, with the municipality receiving revenue from tree harvesting.
AED is a statewide organization of economic development professionals and community leaders. Gov. Mike Beebe was the keynote speaker for the awards luncheon.