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 by 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. David holds both a bachelors and Master of Business Administration degree from Auburn University and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. He lives in Auburn with his wife Christina and enjoys spending time with his adult children.

Dr. Matt Ulmer joined GEDI as Assistant Director of Training and Education in August of 2023. In this role, he provides leadership and oversight to the institute’s training programs. Prior to returning to GEDI, Matt served eight years as a Community Development State Specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. While pursuing his doctorate at Auburn, Matt served as GEDI’s graduate research assistant and conducted policy research, supported institute programs, and assisted with community initiatives. A three-time Auburn graduate, Matt holds a bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree from Auburn and a masters degree from the University of Virginia.

Matt lives in Auburn with his wife Mallory and daughter Amory. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, supporting Auburn sports teams, and traveling – especially to the mountains and the beach.

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.

Jenna Morrow joined GEDI in June of 2023 as a Training Program Specialist. Jenna earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Auburn University. Prior to GEDI, Jenna worked in hospitality and tourism. She and her husband Drew are Alabama natives but spent 11 years in Charlotte, North Carolina. They both graduated from Auburn and even got married on Samford Lawn. They were excited to return in 2022 and are looking forward to sharing the spirit of this Auburn community with their two children, Emerson and Ella Cate.

Tim Ory joined GEDI in July of 2024 as a Media Production Specialist. A native of New Orleans, La., Tim holds a film degree from the University of New Orleans. He has provided marketing and promotional video work for marketing agency TLW Productions, offshore logistics firm Edison Chouest Offshore, engineering firm T. Baker Smith, and Loyola University New Orleans. A self-proclaimed “Jack of all trades and master of none,” he enjoys cooking, gaming, art, poker, and model-making.

Tim lives in Opelika with his wife Maureen, also an employee of Auburn University, and their dog Rocky.

Kristi Reiff joined GEDI’s Education and Training unit as an Outreach Program Administrator in June 2023. Kristi is a two-time graduate of Auburn University, receiving a BS in Health Administration and a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration. She has spent time working as a volunteer and professional in county, state, and federal government roles. In her spare time, she serves as an alumnae advisor for a Panhellenic organization and a board member for the Junior League of Lee County. She lives in Auburn with her husband, Stephen, and two children.

Danielle Rogers joined the Government and Economic Development Institute staff in August of 2022 and currently works as a Program Specialist in education and training. 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 carried on the tradition by obtaining his B.A. from Auburn in communications with a minor in marketing. Jennifer is an active community volunteer in the areas of disaster relief and animal rescue. She lives in Opelika and serves on the Board of Directors for Opelika Main Street and the Public Relations Council of Alabama.

Nicole Stafford joined the GEDI team in June of 2023 in the role of Outreach Program Administrator. Previously, she spent six years in the Harbert College of Business as an Admissions Advisor. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Auburn and is a fourth generation Auburn Alumnus. Nicole is an avid supporter of the arts, is passionate about lifelong learning and embraces the cultural and educational opportunities the Auburn-Opelika area provide. She grew up in Auburn and is delighted to be back on The Plains among friends and family.

Amelia Hall Stehouwer joined GEDI in 2004. She currently serves as Research and Information Manager, directs the Intensive Economic Development Training Course, and manages the Institute’s economic and community development short courses. 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.