FLCIDB Executive Director Nathan Ward came to us after having had great success at the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, where he was responsible for over $100 million in capital investment and the creation of over 1,500 jobs in an eight-county region of Middle Tennessee. Prior to his tenure at ECD, Nathan spent six years working for the state legislature, and served as the chief aide to House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, supervising and coordinating bill passage, committee assignments and other important duties in the Tennessee General Assembly. Nathan holds a B.A. from Middle Tennessee State University and an M.A. candidate at Austin Peay State University, and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. A native of West Tennessee, he makes his home in Fayetteville.

Heather Malone has been with the Board since 2005. From office management to event planning, Heather is the first point of contact for the Board. Heather is the Three Star Coordinator for Fayetteville and Lincoln County and has organized events ranging from industry grand openings to breakfasts with the Governor. Heather holds a B.A. from Middle Tennessee Sate University and has a lengthy background in office management, marketing and public relations. Heather is in the Leadership Lincoln Class of 2007 and has been nominated for membership with the Kings Mountain Messenger Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is the mother of 4 and a member of First Baptist Church. Like Nathan, Heather is a native of West Tennessee, but now lives in Fayetteville.