Staff

Jeremy Arthur joined GEDI as Director in February 2021 after serving as president & CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama since 2012. He is a two-time Auburn University graduate and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Public Administration and Public Policy. Jeremy enjoys Auburn Tiger football, SEC men’s basketball, traveling the globe to learn about other cultures, exploring Alabama’s rich and diverse history, and reading the works of his favorite author, Alabama-native Nelle Harper Lee.

David Mixson has been employed with Auburn University since 1994 and joined GEDI in 2016 as Associate Director. In this role, he provides direction to the Institute’s operations and economic development programs. He directs Auburn’s EDA University Center program focused on training future economic and community development leaders and improving Alabama’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He is a two-time Auburn University graduate and has two sons attending Auburn. His oldest son is attending dental school at LSU-New Orleans. He lives in Auburn with his wife Christina and their twin daughters.

D’Angelo Baker joined the GEDI team in August of 2022, as a Human Resources Specialist. As an HR specialist, D’Angelo works with the rest of the GEDI team to help local governments improve their HR policies and procedures. This is done through research, evaluation, and training. D’Angelo is a 2x Auburn University graduate, most recently receiving his MPA from Auburn in December of 2021. D’Angelo resides in Auburn and in his free time he enjoys video games, reality television, comic books, weightlifting, and learning about a variety of topics.

Stefanie Delaney joined GEDI in 2022 and serves as the training department registrar for professional development and certification programs. She moved to the area in the summer of 2021 with her husband and two children from the Philadelphia region, where she worked as the Operations Manager at the Haverford College Bookstore. She worked as an administrative associate with the Finger Lakes Land Trust in Ithaca, NY. Since relocating, the Delaney family has embraced the beauty of the Auburn community and its sports culture. Stefanie earned her Associates Degree in Applied Science in Illustration and will be pursuing a degree in Public Administration at Auburn.

Jonathan has been with GEDI full-time since 2011, when he joined the initiative to put new computers in libraries and schools across the state as a part of President Obama's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. Since then, he has managed the Survey Research Lab and currently works in the Research Unit of GEDI, mainly developing research plans and methodologies and performing GIS and other advanced analysis. He received his Master of Public Administration degree from Auburn University and is preparing to begin coursework to earn a PhD in environmental economics.

Julia Heflin began her career at Auburn in 1999 at the Center for Governmental Services, which became GEDI in 2015. She serves as Training Program Manager, a unit which hosts 80 to 100 training projects per year, including many professional development and certification programs. Julia holds a Master of Education degree in Adult Education and a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, both from Auburn University. Julia and her husband, Hugo live in Jackson’s Gap on Lake Martin. They have two children, four grandchildren, and three dogs.

Jordan Kramer joined GEDI in 2021 as a Training Program Specialist. In this role, he leads the Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA) Leadership Institute, the Alabama Local Government Training Institute and the Intensive Economic Development Training Course. Jordan received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Auburn, minoring in community engagement. He resides in Auburn and enjoys watching Auburn football and The Office.

Danielle Rogers joined the Government and Economic Development Institute staff in August of 2022 as a Human Resources Specialist. Danielle graduated cum laude from Auburn University in May of 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. She plans to further her education by obtaining her master’s degree within the next few years. She is originally from Wetumpka, but currently resides in Auburn. Danielle loves to attend Auburn football games to cheer on the Tigers. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends. In her free time, Danielle enjoys playing golf at the wonderful golf courses in the Auburn area.

Jennifer Ryan joined GEDI as Communications Manager in 2015. In this role Jennifer manages our website, social media channels, internal and external communications and marketing, and assists with classes, programs and special events. Jennifer is a 2x Auburn University graduate and has a son, Austin, who is carrying on the tradition by studying Communications and Visual Media at Auburn. Jennifer is an active community volunteer in the areas of disaster relief and animal rescue. She lives in Opelika with her husband, Gerald, and their rescue pup.

Amelia Hall Stehouwer joined GEDI in 2004. She currently serves as Research Associate and works with the Institute’s economic development training and outreach initiatives. Amelia has a B.A. from Samford University and an M.P.A. from Auburn (with a graduate minor in economic development). She is a 9th generation Alabamian and a 6th generation resident of Opelika, where she lives with her daughter, Morgan Leigh and their Labradoodle, Rosie.

Sheree began her career at Auburn University in 1988. In 1989 she was promoted to Administrative Support at the Center for Governmental Services, which became GEDI in 2015. Sheree currently serves as Lead Admin Assistant. She is active in her church and is a supporter of the Heart Association, Kidney Foundation, St. Jude Research Hospital and American Cancer Society. She is the proud mother of two daughters and three very spoiled fur babies. Sheree enjoys reading, word puzzles, collecting stuffed animals and learning new things, such as technology.