Speakers Bureau

 Jody A. Lassiter, JD, MEDP

Manager, Industrial Development – KY, MD, VA, DC

As CSX Transportation’s Manager for Industrial Development, Jody Lassiter oversees attraction, site selection, and location of new industrial projects served by CSX and connecting short line railroads in a region that includes Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. He communicates the benefits of rail as a supply chain solution to the business community, prospective customers, and economic development partners to influence industrial development at CSX and connecting short line sites. Jody also develops and maintains a pipeline of market-ready industrial sites, including CSX Select Site certification, within his region through relationships with economic development organizations, commercial real estate firms, and utility partners.

Jody previously served as President/CEO of Develop Danville, Inc., also known as the Danville-Boyle County Economic Development Partnership, 2007 – 2021, a collaborative alliance that coordinated the community and economic development missions, resources, and initiatives of its nine Partners, including five business/destination development organizations and four local governments. In this capacity, he also served as administrator of the Boyle County Industrial Foundation, a private, non-profit corporation that develops, finances, and manages real estate for industrial recruitment, retention, and expansion.

An advocate for regional collaboration, he led Boyle County’s active engagement as a founding partner of the 11-county Kentucky Crossroads Regional Economic Development Coalition. This regional business marketing and recruitment cooperative earned the LG&E/Kentucky Utilities Community Award for Innovation in 2011.

Jody supports the advancement of his profession as a long-time member of the Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED), having served the longest tenure of 12 consecutive years on its board of directors and as its Chairman in 2011. He is a member of the KAED Foundation board of directors; a member and past co-chair of KAED’s KentuckyUnited state marketing cooperative; a member and past chair of its Public Policy Committee; and an instructor in professional ethics for the Kentucky Institute for Economic Development. In 2023, he was named as KAED’s Allied Professional of the Year for his work and achievements representing CSX in Kentucky. This award recognizes economic development professionals who play key roles in the success of economic development via their assistance and expertise in areas such as utilities, transportation, job training, construction, education, government, and research. Previously in 2009, he was named KAED’s East Kentucky Power/James J. Coleman Community Professional of the Year, which recognizes economic developers who have made significant and innovative contributions to their field and community.

His past career includes service as Executive Director of the Logan Economic Alliance for Development (LEAD), 2005 – 2007; Commissioner, Kentucky Department for Local Government (DLG), 2000 – 2003; Western Kentucky Liaison and Director, Office of Constituent Services, Office of the Governor, 1996 – 2000; General Counsel/Hearing Officer, Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals, 1995 – 1996; and Staff Attorney, Kentucky Court of Appeals, 1994 – 1995.

Jody is a graduate of the University of Mississippi (1991), the University of Louisville School of Law (1994), and the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute (2008). In 2020, he achieved certification as a Master Economic Development Practitioner (MEDP) through completion of the Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program, which is jointly administered by the University of Southern Mississippi, Texas Christian University, and the University of New Mexico.

Jody resides near Danville, Kentucky, with his wife Kelley. They are the parents of two children, Jacob (23) and Alana (21). They are active members of Indian Hills Christian Church, where he serves as a deacon.