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OUR TEAM
At the Greater Morris County Development Corporation (GMDC), our team is dedicated to driving smart, sustainable economic growth throughout Morris County. We bring together a diverse group of professionals and community leaders with deep local knowledge, strong regional partnerships, and a shared passion for rural development.
From assisting new businesses to supporting long-term investors, our team works side-by-side with stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities and lasting impact. Whether you're seeking site selection support, workforce solutions, or simply want to explore the potential of Morris County, we're here to help — every step of the way.
Chuck Scott
Executive Director
Chuck Scott is a passionate economic developer focused on historic preservation, downtown revitalization, and rural opportunity. With expertise in finance, real estate, and project management, he connects people to resources that drive impact. An MBA graduate and certified EDFP, Chuck is active in national development councils and mentors youth to help reverse rural “brain drain.”
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Stephanie Watson
Grant Coordinator
Bio coming soon.
Steve White
Board President
Steve White is an Executive Vice President at Farmers and Drovers Bank. Born in Council Grove, he has lived here most of his life and graduated from Council Grove High School. After receiving a bachelor's degree from Kansas State, he worked in Washington, D.C., until returning to school to get a J.D. from Drake Law School and a Master of Laws in Agricultural Law from the University of Arkansas. Besides working in D.C., Steve worked for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship before returning to Council Grove to work at the bank.
Elle Nelson
Board Vice President
Elle Nelson was born and raised in Council Grove and works at her family's business, Neosho Gardens. She appreciates all the benefits of small-town life, especially while raising her 3 children here. Being a part of Council Grove's development during this pivotal time is very important to her, and she is grateful to be on the GMDC Board.
Cody Catlin
Treasurer
A Council Grove native, Cody grew up on Council Grove City Lake and currently resides there full-time. For more than 10 years he has helped clients throughout the Flint Hills and became the firm’s Supervising Broker in 2024. Cody has extensive experience in residential, commercial, and agricultural real estate, with a special focus on lake properties having transacted over $50,000,000 in lake-specific property sales.
Cody is also the Founder, and President, of the Rural Youth Golf Association (RYGA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing free access and exposure to the game of golf for youth in rural communities.
He is a current board member and treasurer of the Greater Morris County Development Corporation. A current board member of the Council Grove City Lake Association. Current board member, and past President, of the Council Grove Rotary Club. Current board member, and past President, of the Council Grove Country Club. Past board member, and President, of the Council Grove Chamber of Commerce. Current member of the Career Technical Education committee for Council Grove High School. And a current member of the Flint Hills Association of Realtors, Kansas Association of Realtors, and the National Association of Realtors.
Cody received two degrees from Kansas State University. A Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) in ‘11 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance in ‘08.
Darlene Griffiths
Secretary
I am the superintendent of USD 481 - Rural Vista. My school district is comprised of Hope and White City. I am also the White City Schools principal. I lived in Morris County from 2005 to 2019. I look forward to "Blazing a Trail!"
Logan Zimmerman
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon.
Kevin Leeper
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon.
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Wayne Kohler
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon.
Ryan McDonald
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon.
Jason Pettit, MBA
Board Member
Jason Pettit is the Chief Executive Officer of Tri-County Telephone Association, Inc. in Council Grove, Kansas, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience across nonprofit organizations, manufacturing, rural telecommunications companies, and telephone cooperatives. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Emporia State University and an MBA from Southwestern College.
Throughout his career, Jason has been committed to advancing rural connectivity, organizational excellence, and community development. He has also been an active industry leader, serving six years on the Board of Directors of the Communications Coalition of Kansas, including as Board President, four years as a board member of the State Independent Telephone Association including as Board Vice President and Board President, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Nex-Tech Wireless, Inc.
Deb Andres
Ex Officio Board Member
Deb Andres has been a Family & Consumer Sciences professional since she graduated from Kansas State University in 1988 in a wide variety of careers. She started as a manager in food manufacturing plant straight out of college with a degree in Home Economics Education. From there, she became a state-level program assistant with K-State Research & Extension while attending graduate school. Following her marriage to a Morris County dairy and row crop farmer, she began teaching at Council Grove High School. After 14 years, she left the high school classroom for the college classroom at KSU as a teacher-educator. In 2013, she left campus life to serve as the Family & Consumer Sciences Agent in Geary County and most recently transferred to the Flint Hills District with K-State Extension – serving both Morris and Chase counties. A large part of her work in community education and programming is focused on Medicare Counseling as a Certified Senior Health Insurance Counselor for Kansas since August of 2013. Deb was drawn to Family & Consumer Sciences because of the emphasis it places on individuals, families, and communities and strives to find ways to weave community resources together to improve the lives of local residents.
Tyson Eslinger
Ex Officio Board Member
Tyson Eslinger serves as the Superintendent of Morris County Public Schools USD 417, bringing nearly two decades of educational leadership experience to the district. Throughout his 18-year career, Tyson has served in diverse roles, including classroom teacher, coach, and building principal. He is deeply committed to systemic educational improvement at all levels, dedicated to fostering an environment that provides the best possible opportunities for all students and staff. Tyson focuses on sustainable talent management and rural education advocacy to ensure district success. He has previously chaired the Southwest Kansas Superintendent Council and currently serves on the national reading advisory board for Rosen Publishing Company. Beyond his district roles, Tyson is also actively involved in education work at the state level.
Zoey Wadick
Ex Officio Board Member
Zoey Wadick is the CVB & Communications Director for the City of Council Grove, Kansas, where she spends her days finding new ways to put a small town on the map. A marketer, creative thinker, and enthusiastic advocate for rural communities, Zoey believes that great ideas aren't reserved for big cities, and neither is great marketing. Her work spans tourism, economic development, small business support, and community storytelling, with a particular fondness for projects that start with someone saying, "Wouldn't it be fun if..." Through Ad Astra Directive, she also works with businesses and organizations across the Flint Hills.
She and her husband, Jon, are proud to call Council Grove home, where they're raising their two sons, Truman and Archer, and enjoying all that small-town life has to offer.