The EDGE staff is committed to making a positive impact on Memphis and Shelby County. Working with city, county, and state officials along with development partners, EDGE staff help plan, manage, and implement development projects throughout Memphis and Shelby County.
Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE)

John Lawrence
Senior Economic Development Specialist
John Lawrence
Senior Economic Development Specialist

Trey McKinight
Economic Development Specialist
Trey McKinight
Economic Development Specialist
Trey McKnight has extensive sales and marketing experience in both the public and private sectors, having worked with an international pharmaceuticals company along with the City of Memphis and State of Tennessee. At EDGE, Mr. McKnight is responsible for managing business relationships with companies looking to expand or relocate to Memphis and Shelby County. One of Mr. McKnight’s main responsibilities is managing the EDGE Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program.
Mr. McKnight earned a Bachelor of Science in Business, Management & Marketing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Keisha Oliver
Director of Marketing & Communications
Keisha Oliver
Director of Marketing & Communications
Keisha Oliver manages EDGE’s marketing, communications, and media relations efforts. She has 14 years of experience gained through television news production and public relations work. She is a Memphis native and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Auburn University

Stefanie Barrett
Brand Manager
Stefanie Barrett
Brand Manager
Stefanie Barrett provides graphic design and marketing support for EDGE with more than 20 years of industry experience. Prior to joining EDGE, Mrs. Barrett served as Principal Owner of Barrett Creative, a full service graphic design and marketing firm. Mrs. Barrett earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Memphis.

Adrienne Johnson
Director of Research
Adrienne Johnson
Director of Research
Adrienne Johnson manages data intelligence identifying economic trends to assist with policy making and support business recruitment. Prior to joining EDGE, she served as Vice President of Research for the Greater Memphis Chamber and a part-time economic research instructor for the Council for Council for Community and Economic Research. Ms. Johnson earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Tennessee Tech University as well as a Master's Degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Memphis.

Marjorie Shaw
Manager, Economic Development Programs
Marjorie Shaw
Manager, Economic Development Programs
Marjorie Shaw assists with project compliance and updates associated with EDGE’s PILOT program. Ms. Shaw also provides administrative support with the EDGE TIF, ICED Loan, and Foreign Trade Zone 77 programs. She holds an International Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Memphis.

Hannah Borstad
Economic Development Programs Assistant
Hannah Borstad
Economic Development Programs Assistant

Carmen Franklin
Office Manager
Carmen Franklin
Office Manager
Carmen Franklin has more than 29 years of experience as an Office Manager.
International Port of Memphis

Randy Richardson
Vice President Port and Industrial Properties/Executive Director, Memphis & Shelby County Port Commission
Randy Richardson
Vice President Port and Industrial Properties/Executive Director, Memphis & Shelby County Port Commission

Chris Ervin
Crew Person
Chris Ervin
Crew Person
Chris Ervin works with the Port of Memphis Crew Chief and others to clean and keep in an orderly condition the properties under the jurisdiction and control of the Memphis & Shelby County Port Commission.

Eric Harris
Crew Person
Eric Harris
Crew Person

Amber Shepheard
Office Manager
Amber Shepheard
Office Manager
Amber Shepheard has more than twelve years of administrative experience in both corporate and governmental relations. Ms. Shepheard earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Memphis.

Mark Summerford
Crew Chief
Mark Summerford
Crew Chief

Jon Wayne Hall, II
Crew Person
Jon Wayne Hall, II
Crew Person