2026 Economic Development Committee

Area Executive for the Eastern Piedmont Area of First Citizens Bank that encompasses Johnston, Harnett, Lee, Sampson, Wayne, Wilson, Warren, Halifax, Vance, Franklin, Nash counties in Eastern NC.  

Kelly joined the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce team in 2002.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Technology from East Carolina University in 1992.  Kelly is a 2003 Leadership Johnston graduate, of which she served as program director for over 16 years. Kelly is a graduate of the US Chamber Institute of Organization Management (2011) and Business Leads Fellowship (2022).  When they are able, Kelly and her husband, Mark, enjoy long weekends "glamping" in their travel trailer. Originally from Charlotte, Kelly and her family call Clayton, NC their home.

Leighanna Thompson is a Johnston County native. She began her career in Municipal Government in 2001 working for the Towns of Pine Level and Selma until April of 2006 when she was appointed Town Clerk for the Town of Wilson’s Mills. Leighanna currently serves as the Town Administrator and Municipal Clerk. Leighanna graduated in 2009 from the Clerk's Institute at the School of Government at UNC Chapel Hill. She received her designation for Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) from the IIMC and UNC School of Government in 2011, Master Municipal Clerk Certification (MMC) in 2016, and NC Certified Municipal Clerk designation (NCCMC) from the NC Association of Municipal Clerks in 2012. Leighanna serves on the Board of Directors for the Triangle East Chamber of Commerce. In her spare time, Leighanna enjoys cooking, playing music, and going camping with her dog, "Copper," in the mountains of North Carolina.

The Planning Director is responsible for completing development plan compliance reviews, site inspections of utilities, and street stormwater control for new and existing developments constructed in the Town and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). The Planning Director ensures construction is completed meeting requirements of the Town’s stormwater management standards and adheres to approved plans and specifications. The Planning Director meets with contractors, engineers, owners, project managers, and architects to discuss development plan needs and actions.