Former Dexter resident Brian Thompson was recently selected by regional peers to serve on the Missouri Economic Development Council (MEDC) Board of Directors.

MEDC is the authoritative voice on economic development and related issues in Missouri. A statewide, nonprofit association of economic development professionals and community leaders, MEDC has been the unified voice of Missouri economic developers since 1979. Each year, seven different MEDC districts elect district directors to leadership roles to help unite members within their respective boundaries. Thompson was one of two professionals picked to serve MEDC District 6, which covers 26 counties in southwest Missouri.

He is a 1999 graduate of Dexter High School and earned his associate of arts degree in pre-journalism from Three Rivers Community College (TRCC) in Poplar Bluff. He transferred to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations in 2003. He is currently the president/chief executive officer of Lebanon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (Lebanon-REDI).

“It is an honor to be chosen to a district leadership position within MEDC District 6,” said Thompson. “The opportunity to network with peers within the economic development realm is critical to becoming a successful professional for both my community and the state of Missouri as a whole.”

MEDC drives economic growth through program initiatives and alliances with other economic development entities. This collaboration gives MEDC members access to industry-leading professional development, public policy, legislation and marketing communications programs. Whether working independently or in cooperation with partners, MEDC, its members and professional staff are effective, efficient and reliable.

Thompson is the son of Jimmy and Thelma Thompson of Dexter.

For more information on MEDC, visit www.showme.org. Additional information on Lebanon-REDI can be found at www.LebanonREDI.com.