Mark Pope, a native of Lenoir County, brings more than 40 years of professional experience in banking, business development, and economic development. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from East Carolina University and an Associate of Arts degree from Lenoir Community College. He also attended Methodist College.

Mark began his professional career in banking, spending 15 years with Bank of America and five years with First South Bank. In 2005, he transitioned into economic development, becoming the Economic Development Director for Lenoir County, where he served for 13 years. In 2018, he was named President of the Wayne County Development Alliance before assuming his current leadership role in 2020.

As President of the North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, Mark led the creation of a regional economic development organization that brought Greene, Lenoir, and Wayne counties together with the North Carolina Global TransPark under one unified office. Since its establishment, the organization has helped secure more than $1 billion in announced capital investment, supporting business recruitment, existing industry expansions, job creation, and economic growth throughout Eastern North Carolina. Mark retired from the North Carolina Department of Transportation in December 2025 and continues to serve as President of the regional organization.

Throughout his economic development career, Mark has worked with major employers, including Sanderson Farms, DuPont, West Pharmaceutical Services, Electrolux, Smithfield Foods, Spirit AeroSystems, MasterBrand Cabinets, and numerous other industries. His experience includes industrial recruitment, business retention and expansion, site development, workforce partnerships, and regional economic development strategy.

Mark is a past President of the North Carolina Economic Development Association and has served in leadership roles with the North Carolina Southeast Partnership, Military Affairs Committee, Highway 70 Corridor Commission, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, and EDPNC Advisory Council. He was named North Carolina Economic Developer of the Year in 2011.

In 2026, Mark received a Lifetime Service Award recognizing his decades of leadership and contributions to economic development. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to building partnerships, strengthening communities, and creating economic opportunities for the people of Eastern North Carolina.

Trey Cash, a native of Greene County, serves as Chief Operating Officer for the North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, helping lead regional economic development efforts for Greene, Lenoir, and Wayne Counties and the NC Global TransPark. In this role, he supports industrial recruitment, assists existing employers, oversees regional operations, and works with partners at the local, state, and national level to bring jobs and investment to Eastern North Carolina.

Trey has more than 14 years of experience in local and state government and previously served as Director of Economic Development for Greene and Lenoir Counties. He is a North Carolina Certified Economic Developer and a Certified Workforce Developer. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Fayetteville State University, a Master of Science in Leadership from Grand Canyon University, and a Bachelor of Science in Emergency and Disaster Management from Western Carolina University. He is also a graduate of University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, the premier economic development training program in the nation.

Trey serves on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Economic Development Association and a Advisory Board of Commissioners for MyFutureNC. Trey is a graduate from Leadership North Carolina Class 31. 

Julie Graham serves as the Existing Industry Director for Wayne County and the Business Manager at the Wayne County Development Alliance, where she plays a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and supporting local industries. Julie is dedicated to enhancing the industry environment in Wayne County by providing strategic guidance and resources to existing industries.

Julie brings years of experience in economic development and business management to her role. Her career is marked by a commitment to building strong relationships with industry leaders and stakeholders, ensuring that the needs of local businesses are met with innovative solutions and support. Her expertise in workforce development, infrastructure improvement, and policy advocacy has been instrumental in driving sustainable growth in the region.

Julie earned a degree in Business Management and Accounting from the University of Mount Olive and is a North Carolina Certified Economic Developer. She serves on a variety of local and statewide economic development boards and committees and has helped lead transformational projects throughout eastern North Carolina. In 2026, she was recognized by the North Carolina Economic Development Association for her leadership on the Prolec GE Waukesha expansion project, recipient of the NCEDA Mid-Sized Market Deal of the Year Award. 

Under Julie's leadership, the Wayne County Development Alliance has launched numerous initiatives focused on retaining and expanding local businesses, creating new job opportunities, and strengthening the county's economic resilience. Her strategic vision, collaborative approach, and recognized leadership make her an invaluable asset to the ongoing success of Wayne County's economic future.

Lauren Ellis serves as the Existing Industry Director for Greene and Lenoir Counties with the NC Global TransPark Economic Development Region, where she works directly with local employers and economic development partners to support business retention, expansion, and long-term growth. Lauren is committed to strengthening relationships with existing industries and ensuring businesses have the resources needed to succeed in Eastern North Carolina.

Lauren brings a strong background in economic development and marketing to the region. Prior to joining us, she served as Marketing Manager at Charleston County Economic Development in South Carolina, where she supported both business development and existing industry initiatives. Her experience includes strategic marketing, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative support for growing industries.

Lauren is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Furman University. Her educational background provides a strong foundation in economic development strategy, communication, and community focused growth.

Through her leadership and collaborative approach, Lauren works to encourage sustainable economic growth across Greene and Lenoir counties by supporting existing businesses and fostering long-term partnerships. Her experience, dedication, and passion for serving local industry make her a valuable asset to the NC Global TransPark Economic Development Region and the communities it serves.

Cailyn Kennedy serves as the Marketing & Project Coordinator for the NC Global TransPark Economic Development Region, where she supports marketing, communications, and project coordination efforts to promote economic growth throughout Eastern North Carolina. In her role, she helps showcase the region’s business and industrial opportunities through strategic marketing, digital communications, and creative content development.

She brings a background in marketing, public relations, and strategic communications to the region. Prior to joining the NC Global TransPark Economic Development Region, Cailyn served as the Marketing and Social Media Coordinator at Lenoir Community College, where she managed social media initiatives, developed digital content, and supported marketing efforts to engage students and the surrounding community. Her experience includes strategic communications, brand development, content creation, photography, graphic design, and digital marketing.

Cailyn earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from North Carolina State University and her master’s degree in Strategic Communication from East Carolina University. Her educational background provides a strong foundation in communication strategy, audience engagement, and marketing, which she brings to her work in economic development.

A native of Kinston, North Carolina, she is passionate about the continued growth and success of Eastern North Carolina. Through her marketing and communications efforts, she looks forward to highlighting the region’s strengths, attracting new opportunities, and supporting the businesses and communities that make the region a great place to live and work.