July 15, 2026

CONGRATULATIONS to TARCOG Economic Development Coordinator Leslie Wright on being selected for the inaugural cohort of the Training Program for Emerging Leaders of the National Association of Development Organization’s Research Foundation.

The Emerging Leaders program provides Economic Development District (EDD) staff members with the education and skills required to lead a high-performing EDD.  Cohort participants are offered a unique opportunity to learn about successful community and economic development approaches of other EDDs. The program is an opportunity to create a peer network that can add value to EDD activities long after the training program is finished.

The program is built for early to mid-career planners and program coordinators employed at an Economic Development District (EDD)

Participants were selected through a competitive application process. There are severn other participants in the inaugural cohort for the Atlanta region including:

• Greg Boike, director of Planning & Public Administration at the Middle Georgia Regional Commission
• Amy Frogue, director of Community & Economic Development at the Pennyrile Area Development District in Kentucky
• Tim Hendrick, deputy director at the East Tennessee Development District
• Lindsay Privette, director of Economic Development at Pee Dee Regional Council of Governments in South Carolina
• Caroline Smith, director of Economic & Community Development at Apalachee Regional Planning Council in Florida
• Beka Shiver, Economic Development Planner at Southwest Georgia Regional Commission.
• Eric Wright, director of Planning & Development at East Alabama Regional Planning & Development Commission

TARCOG Economic Development Coordinator Leslie Wright

July 1, 2026

Name: Allison Calvert                                                                               

Job Title: Quality Assurance Specialist

How long have you been at TARCOG and what do you do? I joined the TARCOG team in November 2018, as a Case Manager and became a Quality Assurance Specialist in 2021. In my current role, I help ensure the quality and integrity of the Medicaid Waiver Program by reviewing case files, assisting with Direct Service Provider audits, and onboarding new providers. I also maintain a small caseload, providing case management through helping clients access services they need to remain independent in their homes and communities. 

What did you want to be when you grew up?  Growing up, I always knew I wanted a career where I could help others and make a positive difference in people’s lives. At first, I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but as I got older, I realized social worker was a better fit for my personality and passions.

What do you hope to accomplish within the next year? This year, I hope to receive my social worker license.

Who is your hero and why? My hero is my sister, Lauren. I look up to her and seek her advice for everything. She is so strong, capable, determined, smart and kind.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Spending time with my family. Especially spending time with my husband, nephews, sister and brother-in-law, and my parents. I am very close to my family, and it is my favorite place to be.

What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? From the Bible, Philippians 4:6-7 —  “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? I am not a very daring person, and I am not really a risk taker. But in 2024, I rode on a roller coaster for the first time ever. To most people this might not seem like a big deal, but for me, this was very daring because I have always been very afraid to ride one.

Who knows you the best? There are two people in my life that know me better than anyone else. Of course, my husband, Trent, knows me better than anyone, but my sister, Lauren, is also my best friend and we tell each other everything.

What would you do if you won the lottery? I would donate to local charities, invest/save, and buy a nice home for my husband and I and our future family.

TARCOG Quality Assurance Specialist Allison Calvert