Sarah Thomson is a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., with a BFA degree in theater and liberal arts and an MA degree in journalism from the University of Alabama. She has 14 years of marketing/public relations experience.

With 20 years of experience in economic and community development, Mr. Lawrence administers countywide business attraction and expansion programs, related tax incentives and loans for EDGE. He also continues to manage special research projects. Mr. Lawrence joined EDGE in 2012 to coordinate the Memphis and Shelby County Regional Economic Development Plan, a Brookings Institution Metropolitan Business Planning initiative. This work led to the creation of the Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce, Metro Memphis Export Alliance, and other industry specific initiatives. Prior to joining EDGE, Mr. Lawrence served as Interim Program Manager for Livable Memphis, Executive Director for the Memphis Airport Area Development Corporation, President of Downtown Jackson Partners, Director of Planning & Business Development for the Memphis Center City Commission, and Market Analyst for Trammell Crow Company. Mr. Lawrence holds a Master of Science degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Memphis.

Trey McKnight has extensive sales and marketing experience in both the public and private sectors, having worked with an international pharmaceuticals company along with the City of Memphis and State of Tennessee. At EDGE, Mr. McKnight is responsible for managing business relationships with companies looking to expand or relocate to Memphis and Shelby County. One of Mr. McKnight’s main responsibilities is managing the EDGE Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program.

Mr. McKnight earned a Bachelor of Science in Business degree in Management & Marketing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Adrienne Johnson manages data intelligence identifying economic trends to assist with policy making and support business recruitment. Prior to joining EDGE, she served as Vice President of Research for the Greater Memphis Chamber and a part-time economic research instructor for the Council for Council for Community and Economic Research. Ms. Johnson earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Tennessee Tech University as well as a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Memphis.

Marjorie Shaw assists with project compliance and updates associated with EDGE’s PILOT program. Ms. Shaw also provides administrative support with the EDGE TIF, ICED Loan, and Foreign Trade Zone 77 programs. She holds an International Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Memphis.

Bio coming soon!

Carmen Franklin has more than 29 years of experience as an Office Manager.

Mr. Richardson has more than 25 years of experience in industrial, economic, and environmental development for the International Port of Memphis. He oversees all port activities along with maintenance and protection of McKellar Lake/Presidents Island Complex, Pidgeon Industrial Harbor, and Pidgeon Industrial Park. Mr. Richardson serves on several civic and community boards including the National Waterways Conference, the Transportation Research Board in Washington, D.C., the Memphis Plywood Company, and the Board of Inland Rivers, Ports, and Terminals (past Board Chair). He serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Area Maritime Security Committee – Memphis and the Basin Chairman for the Lower Mississippi River. Mr. Richardson is also a member of the Society of American Military Engineers and the Presidents Island Industrial Association. Mr. Richardson holds a Master of Arts degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Memphis and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Chris Ervin works with the Port of Memphis Crew Chief and others to clean and keep in an orderly condition the properties under the jurisdiction and control of the Memphis & Shelby County Port Commission.

Mr. Harris works with the Port of Memphis Crew Chief and others to clean and keep in an orderly condition the properties under the jurisdiction and control of the Memphis & Shelby County Port Commission.

Amber Shepheard has more than twelve years of administrative experience in both corporate and governmental relations. Ms. Shepheard earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Memphis.

Mark Summerford works under the direction of the Operations Manager and supervises crew members to clean and keep in an orderly condition the properties under the management, jurisdiction and control of the Memphis & Shelby County Port Commission.

Mr. Hall works with the Port of Memphis Crew Chief and others to clean and keep in an orderly condition the properties under the jurisdiction and control of the Memphis & Shelby County Port Commission.