Please help us welcome Deputy Director Jason Hayward to the JOED team. Jason recently retired after 22 years in the Marine Corps and joined JOED in September 2024 as an intern in the Skillbridge program. A Jacksonville North Carolina native, Jason decided a career transition into economic development would best enable him to support, strengthen, and help foster growth in the area he calls home; recalling his years of developing sound problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytic-based techniques.

Jason is driven by a desire to improve and serve his community. Married, and a proud father of 2 beautiful young daughters, Jason is an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys spending time with family and friends.

 

 

 

 

We are delighted to announce that Adrienne James has assumed the role of JOED Office Administrator this month. A long-term Onslow County resident and minister, Adrienne has dedicated her life to serving her community with attentiveness, striving to make a difference for the generations to come. She serves on several Non-Profit boards including United Way of Onslow County, and the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce and on two of its committees: the Business Diversity Council and the Military Affairs Committee.

Her efforts have been recognized and awarded by a number of organizations, including the Minority Entrepreneur of the Year from the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce, Minority Enterprise Development Week Proclamation received from Governor Pat McCrory, Woman of the Year from the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce, Intriguing African-American Women from the NorthEast Community Development Corp, PRETTY Girls Rock, and the MLK Jr Humanitarian Award from the We Too Group.