Michael Southard is the Senior Economic Development Director for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Nearly all of his 30 year professional career in community and economic development has been in rural Oklahoma. Mike received a Masters in Regional and City Planning from the University of Oklahoma and is a graduate of OU EDI. He holds professional certifications CEcD, AICP, MEDP, EDFP, PCED, and BREC. Mike has served his profession as the AICP Region 3 Commissioner, SEDC State Director, and in nearly every professional association leadership positions in Oklahoma. He currently chairs the IEDC Membership Committee. As the CEO, Mike led the effort for the Ada Jobs Foundation to become the 53rd and smallest AEDO. His economic development organizations have been recognized by APA, IEDC and SEDC as top performing.