Chelsey graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing from The University of Southern Mississippi in May 2013. After completing her undergraduate studies, she entered the Economic Development and Tourism Master’s program in the Spring of 2014. Throughout her graduate career, Chelsey served as President of the Student Economic Development Association, Research Assistant to the Director of the Trent Lott National Center, and as an economic development intern for the Stone County Economic Development Partnership. In Fall 2014, Chelsey was selected as one of 12 graduate students elected into the inaugural 2015 Graduate Student Hall of Fame for her capstone project on the Adventure Tourism Impact Study in Covington County.
After graduating from the Master’s Program in 2014, Chelsey joined the Area Development Partnership (ADP) as Research Manager, where she managed numerous research initiatives focused on job creation/retention, workforce development, and business recruitment for the Economic Development Team. Since her beginning at the ADP, Chelsey has advanced to the role of Vice President of Marketing and Research. Chelsey and the ADP team have received numerous communication and marketing awards for their graphic materials. Her accomplishments have been recognized with several honors, including being named one of Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Under 40 Business Leaders in 2019, a 2023 Distinguished Woman by the Mississippi Business Journal, a 2024 Mississippi Business Journal Business Woman of the Year Finalist, and the 2024 Volunteer of the Year for the Downtown Hattiesburg Association.
Chelsey serves as Vice Chair of the Downtown Hattiesburg Board, Chair of the Promotions Committee, and is also a board member of Pine Belt Foster Resources. When not at work, Chelsey is an avid reader, a master of power tools and woodworking, and enjoys spending time outside with her dog Keely. She is a proud member of CrossPoint Church, where she also serves in various capacities.