NATCHEZ &045; &8220;Knowledgeable.&8221; &8220;Energetic.&8221; &8220;A person who really listens.&8221;

That&8217;s how local leaders described incoming Economic Development Authority Director Jeff Rowell at a reception designed to introduce him to the area&8217;s key players in government and economic development.

The reception was held late Wednesday afternoon at the Natchez Convention Center.

&8220;He&8217;s aggressive, sharp, smart, he has a lot of energy,&8221; said EDA board member Vidal Davis.

EDA Vice Chairman James West said what Adams County needs now is a good salesman and someone who can bring people together toward a common goal. Being a good communicator &8212; especially a good listener &8212; is a big part of that, and West said he believes that describes Rowell.

&8220;He has a genuine spirit,&8221; West said. &8220;He listens and is knowledgeable.&8221;

&8220;It&8217;s a good time for him to come into this community. We have (industrial)

prospects on the table. There&8217;s new life in Natchez. And we&8217;re going to be able to move Natchez forward &8212; if we work as a team.&8221;

In addition to getting settled in his new office, Rowell&8217;s tasks in his first week on the job have been to meet the area&8217;s key players and to talk with EDA staffers to get the background he needs to do his job well.

&8220;I&8217;m meeting with EDA members and just learning everything I can,&8221; said Rowell, former director of the Pontotoc Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he said with a smile, there are other details to take care of &045; &8220;like finding a place to live.&8221;

He and Woody Allen, EDA board chairman, met in executive session with county supervisors

in their Tuesday meeting to introduce Rowell and, at the same time, update them on current industrial prospects.

Allen said Wednesday he and Rowell also plan to visit with aldermen during their Tuesday morning meeting.

&8220;There&8217;s a lot for (Rowell) to go learn in a hurry,&8221; Allen said.