BDI Welcomes New Executive Committee Members

For Immediate Release

BDI Welcomes New Executive Committee Members

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. (August 9, 2013) – Burke Development, Inc. welcomes five new members to the organization’s Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is comprised of 12 individuals from both the public and private sector who currently serve on the BDI Board of Directors. New members are:

• Lamar Smitherman, Publisher, The News Herald
• Scott Gallagher, COO, Burke Primary Care
• Ginny Erwin, President, Morganton Development
• Kenneth Geathers, Town Manager, Town of Rutherford College
• Kathy Bailey, President and CEO, Blue Ridge Healthcare System

Lamar Smitherman, who finds it a privilege to assist with the County’s economic development efforts, says that economic development is the life blood of any community. “Economic growth is essential for local government entities for them to provide the services that all of us expect,” he says. “It also provides our citizens with a better quality of life and job opportunities.” With an MBA and 27 years of business development experience, Scott Gallagher hopes to emphasize the importance of a diverse local economy during his time on the Board. “Community growth starts with a strong employment base, which in turn builds opportunities for additional business development,” says Gallagher, who moved to Burke County in 2004. Kenneth Geathers, who joined the Town of Rutherford College in 2011, said it is important for communities within Burke County to play a pivotal role in how long term economic plans are defined. “I have every intention of focusing on ways to improve the quality of lives of our citizens. In order to accomplish that, the leaders of our community have to be able to articulate a vision. That vision should include: a plan for job training/skill development, further educational opportunities for the unemployed and a way to attract innovative industries here that bring with them good jobs.” For a complete list of the BDI Board of Directors and Executive Committee Members click here.   About Burke Development, Inc. Burke Development, Inc. (BDI) is a nonprofit organization supported by private and public funding that is charged with accelerating economic growth in Burke County. BDI works with industry leaders, site selection consultants, government agencies and other entities to facilitate expansion strategies for existing businesses and recruit target industries to Burke County. For more information about BDI visit www.BurkeDevInc.com.

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Contact: Sara Chester 828.674.3141