OUR PEOPLE
DAVID BRIDGES
Job responsibilities: Story teller. Rural Georgia aficionado. Center co-creator.
Hometown: Terrell County, Georgia
Fav thing produced in rural GA:
"Musicians!!"
Education: Ph.D. at Texas A&M University, master's and bachelor's degrees from Auburn University, as well as an associate's degree from ABAC
Interim Director
SCOTT BLOUNT
Job responsibilities: Team captain. Policy expert. Center co-creator.
Hometown: Waycross, Georgia
Fav thing produced in rural GA: "Might be an obvious one, but this time of year, the pecans for pecan pie are close to my heart!"
Education: Master's degree at Valdosta State University and bachelor's in agricultural economics at the University of Georgia
Associate Director
JANET COCHRAN
Job responsibilities: Tourism specialist. Project seeker. North Georgia champion.
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida, now residing in Tunnel Hill, Georgia
Fav thing produced in rural GA: " Apples! I live close to Ellijay, Georgia's Apple Capitol, and there is nothing like apple fried pies made on site at some of the area apple houses."
Education: Bachelor's in communication from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee
Project Manager
BRIDGETT MOBLEY
Job responsibilities: Events coordinator. Idea influencer. Office mom.
Hometown: Tifton, Georgia
Fav thing produced in rural GA: "Fresh produce is my favorite product of rural Georgia. I love that there is a produce stand on every other corner in rural Georgia during the summers."
Education: Bachelor's degree in speech communications at Valdosta State University
Logistics & Operations Manager
JESSICA AKINS
Job responsibilities: Strategist. Designer. Creator of structure.
Hometown: Radnor, Ohio, now Nashville, Georgia
Fav thing produced in rural GA: "Cotton! In Georgia, the cotton is so beautiful in the fields with the white bolls. It also produces stylish, comfortable clothes and warm blankets."
Education: Bachelor's in agricultural sales and marketing and agricultural communication from Purdue University, as well as a master's in agricultural education and communication from the University of Florida
Communication Manager
LOREN LINDLER
Job responsibilities: Creative guru. Social media enthusiast. Writer.
Hometown: Lexington, South Carolina, transplanted to Tifton, Georgia
Fav thing produced in rural GA: "Peaches are my favorite product of rural Georgia. We produce more peaches at home in South Carolina, but nothing beats a sweet Georgia peach."
Education: Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communication at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Communication Specialist
MARY CATHERINE GASTON
Job responsibilities: Creative writer. Documenter. Antique shopper.
Hometown: Sumter County, Georgia
Fav thing produced in rural GA: "Georgia pines. The number of everyday products that are made using Georgia timber is absolutely mind-boggling. Our family's timber is an investment that future generations will reap the benefits of as well."
Education: Bachelor's in communication from Auburn University and a master's in urban and regional planning from Virginia Tech
Communication Specialist
CHARLEY LOLLIS
Job responsibilities: Communicator in the making. Agritourism adventurer. Intern.
Hometown: Perry, Georgia
Fav thing produced in rural GA: Agritourism is housed in rural Georgia, and if I have a free weekend, that's where I want to be. Whether that is a pumpkin patch, strawberry picking, or just some local ice cream, I have a strong love for agritourism and its possibility to educate consumers."
Education: Will graduate in May 2022 with a bachelor of science in agricultural communication, and a minor in agribusiness from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College