New AEDC head likes regional approach

J. Michael Eades is the new president/CEO of the Ascension Economic Development Corporation, after a unanimous vote by the AEDC board Wednesday. Johnny Berthelot, AEDC’s chairman and former mayor of Gonzales, says Eades’ knowledge and experience will “continue to make Ascension Parish a viable place to work and do business.” A Virginia native, Eades has more than 33 years of experience in economic development, beginning in 1976 when he went to work for the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce in South Carolina. He’s also worked on economic development for the South Carolina Electric & Gas Company, and was associate director of the South Carolina Department of Commerce, and later president/CEO of the Central Carolina Economic Development Alliance, a four-county regional partnership serving the Columbia area. From 1993-98 he managed sales and economic development for Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, headquartered in Atlanta. He was president/CEO of the Florence County (S.C.) Economic Development Partnership until 2004, and from 2005-08 was executive director of the Industrial Development Authority of Halifax County, Va. In an interview this morning, Eades says he likes the regional approach to economic development among AEDC, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and other economic development entities. “I do get that strong sense (of regionalism),” Eades says. “If I hadn’t had that sense I would not have pursued this job. I’m big believer in regionalism. It makes financial sense.”—Steve Clark