HCDC's Brandi Hough received the Marsha N. Hamilton Spirit Award, and Collin Caranna graduated from MEDC's Emerging Leaders Fellows Program at the conference in Flowood.
Flowood, Mississippi – Two members of the Harrison County Development Commission (HCDC) team were recognized last week at the Mississippi Economic Development Council's (MEDC) inaugural Fall Legislative Conference, held November 4–5 at the Sheraton Flowood – The Refuge Hotel & Conference Center. Brandi Hough, Deputy Director, received the Marsha N. Hamilton Spirit Award, and Collin Caranna, Director of Marketing and Government Affairs, graduated from MEDC's 2026 Emerging Leaders Fellows Program.
MEDC launched the fall conference this year to help Mississippi's economic development community prepare for the 2027 Legislative Session. Economic developers, chamber professionals, elected officials, industry partners and community stakeholders from across the state spent two days talking through Mississippi's economy, legislative priorities, workforce and the issues shaping the state's future.
Brandi Hough Receives the Marsha N. Hamilton Spirit Award
Brandi Hough was honored with the Marsha N. Hamilton Spirit Award, presented by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA). The award is named for Marsha Nell Hamilton, a Jackson State University graduate who served at MDA from 1983 until her passing in December 2012. As manager of MDA's international trade office, Hamilton championed small businesses as they took their products and services to markets around the world, and she was instrumental in establishing MDA's global trade STEP grant program.
Brandi's own story is closely tied to MEDC. She was a member of the inaugural class of MEDC's Emerging Leaders program, and she has carried that same commitment to collaboration and service into her work on behalf of Harrison County.
Collin Caranna Graduates from MEDC Emerging Leaders Fellows Program
Collin Caranna was one of seven economic development professionals selected for MEDC's 2026 Emerging Leaders Fellows Program, a year-long leadership and professional development initiative launched in 2019. Over the past year, the fellows traveled the state for regional training sessions, toured communities and industries, and learned directly from experienced practitioners, with stops in Tupelo, Jackson, the Pine Belt or Delta, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the Greater Jackson metro. The class was recognized at a graduation ceremony on November 5 during the conference.
Collin's 2026 classmates included:
Riley Adock, City of Flowood
Patrick Besselievre, Mississippi Development Authority
Grant Krag, Jones Walker
Sam Portera, Mississippi Development Authority
April Stennett, Greene County
Valour Taylor, Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation
HCDC congratulates Brandi and Collin on their achievements and thanks MEDC for its continued work to strengthen the economic development profession in Mississippi. Both honors are a reflection of the people and partnerships that help move Harrison County forward.
