David RumbargerDavid Rumbarger has over 30 years of economic development/existing industry and Chamber of Commerce management. Since August 2000, David has served as president and CEO of the Community Development Foundation of Tupelo, Mississippi. Under his leadership, Tupelo/Lee County has experienced exceptional growth. David’s most recent recruit, Grammer Inc. USA, employs 650 individuals. In December 2008, David successfully led a team to retain the 1,200 jobs at Cooper Tire and Rubber Plant. David played a pivotal role in locating Toyota’s Corolla Plant in North Mississippi; that plant now employs 2,000 with over one billion dollars of capital investment.

Previously, David worked for The Alabama Department of Community and Economic Affairs, the largest economic development agency in the state; North Carolina Power & Light and Energen.

Tupelo/Lee County ranked #4 in the nation for projects in 2015. David’s leadership was recognized in 2008 for the SEDC Project of the Year. He has received the designations of Top Ten Developer by Triangle Business Journal in 1997, Top 40 under 40 by Mississippi Business Journal in 1995, Hattiesburg Sales and Marketing Executive of the Year in 1995, Top Young Developers by Expansion Management Magazine in 1995 and Top 20 Area Development Partnership by Site Selection Magazine in 1994.

David graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University, holds a Master of Science in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Management Certificate from Duke University.