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	Budget Justification Home / Delta Regional Authority Appoints Jessica Shappley as Chief Policy and Communications Officer


Delta Regional Authority Appoints Jessica Shappley as Chief Policy and Communications Officer April 20, 2023
				**CLARKSDALE, MS –**Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Shappley as the new Chief Policy and Communications Officer. Ms. Shappley brings over a decade of experience in policy and communications to the DRA, having served in various leadership roles in both the public and private sectors.



Most recently, Ms. Shappley served as the Communications Director at the Stennis Center for Public Service, a federal, bipartisan Legislative Branch agency that provides training and development for public service professionals. Prior to that, she held the position of Vice President of Policy at Hope Enterprise Corporation and Hope Credit Union, where she was responsible for developing and implementing policies that support financial inclusion and community and economic development.



Ms. Shappley’s extensive experience in policy development and implementation, coupled with her expertise in communications, make her a valuable addition to the DRA team. As Chief Policy and Communications Officer, she will be responsible for developing and implementing policies and strategies that support the DRA’s mission to improve economic opportunity and quality of life in the Delta region.



“Jessica’s impressive background and experience in policy and communications make her the perfect fit for this role,” said Dr. Cory Wiggins, Federal Co-Chairman of the Delta Regional Authority. “We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to her leadership in advancing the DRA’s mission.”



Ms. Shappley holds a bachelor’s degree in English and communications with an emphasis in journalism from Mississippi State University (MSU), as well as a master’s degree in public policy and public administration with an emphasis in health policy from MSU. She has also served as a Senior Policy Analyst at Hope Policy Institute and as a Policy Analyst at the Mississippi Economic Policy Center.



“I am honored to join the Delta Regional Authority and look forward to working with DRA’s talented team to move all eight states forward,” said Ms. Shappley. “I am excited to use my experience to help the DRA continue its important work of improving economic opportunity and quality of life in the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions.”



Ms. Shappley assumed her new role on March 27th, and the Delta Regional Authority welcomed her to the team.


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								Federal PartnersThe DRA was established in 2000 as a formal framework for joint Federal-State collaboration to promote and encourage the economic development of the lower Mississippi River and Alabama Black Belt regions. To fulfill this purpose, DRA invests in projects supporting transportation infrastructure, basic public infrastructure, workforce training, and business development. DRA works to create jobs, build communities, and improve the lives of those that reside in the region. DRA’s region encompasses 252 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.DRA’s enabling legislation dictates that at least 75% of DRA’s funds must be invested in economically distressed counties and parishes and isolated areas within non-distressed counties and parishes. In addition, half of DRA’s funds must support transportation infrastructure and basic public infrastructure.
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