Ed Gardner, Jr., CEcD, EDFP

Ed Gardner, Jr., CEcD, EDFP

Ed Gardner serves as the Vice President of Business and Economic Development at Entergy Mississippi, a position he has held since September 2023 after previously serving as Director of Business and Economic Development since joining Entergy in 2015.12

In his current role, Gardner is responsible for fostering economic growth in Entergy Mississippi's service territory through collaborative business development efforts with state and local allies.12 He works with elected officials and economic developers to attract national and international businesses to Mississippi and assist those already located in the state to expand.2

Gardner has played an important role in several significant economic development projects, including Continental Tire, Milwaukee Tool, AWG and Amazon Madison.2 Under his leadership, economic development projects representing 12,000 jobs and more than $4 billion in capital expenditures invested in Entergy Mississippi's service area have been announced since 2016.2

Prior to joining Entergy, Gardner worked for five years as the economic development representative for Northwest Florida at PowerSouth Energy Cooperative.12 He also has experience as the Vice President of Economic Development and Workforce at the Birmingham Business Alliance in Birmingham, Alabama, and as the Executive Director of the St. Clair County Economic Development Council in Pell City, Alabama.12

Gardner holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Central Oklahoma and a master's degree in public administration from Auburn University.12 He is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) as well as a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP).12

He currently serves as the chair of the Greater Jackson Chamber Partners and on the Madison County Economic Development Authority.12