Meet Our Team

The Authority's CEO, Ronald Tolley, is a 35-year veteran of economic development work covering areas such as: business research bureau studies; vocational/technical institute instructor in economic theory and management/labor relations; regional economic planning and development with a nine-county, bi-state agency; and concentrated county-wide development.

Ron has bachelor's and master's degrees in Economics from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where he was inducted in to three honor societies: Phi Kappa Phi, Beta Gamma Sigma, and Omicron Delta Epsilon. He also has a second master's degree in Public Administration from Auburn University at Montgomery. He has been designated as a Certified Economic Developer by the American Economic Development Council after successfully completing a series of certification exams, a designation achieved by only one percent of the economic developers in the United States and Canada.

Ron maintains active memberships with the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA), the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC), CoreNet Global, and the Georgia Planning Association (GPA). He is a Past-President of the Middle Coastal Unified Development Authority (MCUDA).

Anna Chafin is the Director of Marketing & Research for the Liberty County Development Authority. She is responsible for planning and implementing the Authority's comprehensive industrial marketing and research efforts. Her primary duties include: developing collateral materials; coordinating special events; disseminating information to the media; maintaining the Authority's website; representing the Authority at various meetings and events; and conducting research to continuously update demographic, contact, land, and building data.

Anna hold a bachelor's degree in Communication with minors in Business Administration and English from Mercer University. She has over 10 years experience working in the public and private sectors.

Anna is a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development and Leadership Southeast Georgia, and she is the Immediate Past Chair of the Leadership Southeast Georgia Alumni Association Advisory Board. She is currently participating in Leadership Georgia. Anna is also an active member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors and several committees, and she previously served as a Committee Chair.

Carmen Cole, Director of Administration & Finance for the Authority, maintains all financial information, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and internal financial statements. She handles grants administration and financial reporting requirements for state and federal grants and industrial revenue bonds. Carmen is also responsible for managing numerous construction and maintenance projects such as Tradeport Business Center, Authority building projects, and MidCoast Regional Airport at Wright Army Airfield.

Carmen has an associate's degree in Accounting and 15 years of office management experience with both corporate and government entities.

Jessica Hood, Project Manager for the Authority, is responsible for recruiting industry to the county; providing site and demographic information to site selectors, project managers, and prospects; organizing and conducting site visits; and providing assistance to existing industry.

Jessica attended Georgia Southern University (GSU) where she graduated with a bachelor of business administration in economics and a minor in regional economic development. Jessica was Vice President of the Economics Club at GSU and was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma and Omicron Delta Epsilon honor societies.

Jessica is a member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA).

Monica Calloway, Finance Assistant for the Authority, is responsible for daily accounting tasks, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and all banking transactions. Monica also manages required reporting for the Authority and assists the Director of Administration & Finance with finance related special projects as needed.

Monica has an associate's degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining the Authority, she worked for a private mortgage-banking firm for four years.

Diana Reid, Receptionist/Office Assistant for the Authority, is responsible for answering and directing all general incoming calls for the Authority and the Liberty County Convention & Visitors Bureau; providing initial reception and assistance to visitors by responding to questions; providing published literature and tourism and welcome packets; and directing in-person inquiries to the proper person or agency.

Diana is currently pursuing her post-secondary education with a concentration in computer specialist. She has over 20 years of experience working in the public sector.