- 20 Doyle Street, Toccoa GA PO Box 340
- brittany@scda.biz
Leadership
Our Leadership
Meet Our Staff and Board Members
Our dedicated staff and board members ensure that our combined efforts to support our existing businesses and recruit new ones provides a positive impact on the community. Our staff members are the very heart of the Stephens Couunty Development Authority, and their hard work and dedication complement the vitality and growth of our county.
Brittany Ivey
President & CEO
Brittany Ivey
President & CEO
Brittany Wilkinson Ivey is a Toccoa-Stephens County native. She worked previously at the Stephens County Development Authority from 2014-2017, serving as Assistant to the Executive Director then Assistant Executive Director.
Ivey left SCDA in 2017 and served as a Federation Manager for Georgia Farm Bureau until returning to SCDA in March of 2021. Ivey graduated from the University of Georgia in 2006 and is currently working to become a Georgia Certified Economic Developer through UGA. She was named Stephens County’s Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year in 2017 and selected to serve on former President Trump’s 2017 Healthcare Listening Session.
Ivey and her family are active members of Tates Creek Baptist Church where she currently serves as a Sunday school teacher and Girls in Action (GA) Coordinator. Ivey and her husband Chad, a local businessman, have three children. Alli Kay, Colsen and Gus.
Ivey left SCDA in 2017 and served as a Federation Manager for Georgia Farm Bureau until returning to SCDA in March of 2021. Ivey graduated from the University of Georgia in 2006 and is currently working to become a Georgia Certified Economic Developer through UGA. She was named Stephens County’s Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year in 2017 and selected to serve on former President Trump’s 2017 Healthcare Listening Session.
Ivey and her family are active members of Tates Creek Baptist Church where she currently serves as a Sunday school teacher and Girls in Action (GA) Coordinator. Ivey and her husband Chad, a local businessman, have three children. Alli Kay, Colsen and Gus.
Brian Akin
Board Chairman
Brian Akin
Board Chairman
Brian Akin, President/CEO of the North GA Credit Union in Toccoa and a current director and Immediate Past Chairman for the League of Southeastern Credit Unions.
He graduated from North Georgia College and State University with a BBA in Accounting.
Brian is a former chairman of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce. He is also a current director and Vice Chairman of Affiliates Consolidated Services and Board Chairman for the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation.
Brian and his wife Kelly have two daughters, Tessa and Abby.
He graduated from North Georgia College and State University with a BBA in Accounting.
Brian is a former chairman of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce. He is also a current director and Vice Chairman of Affiliates Consolidated Services and Board Chairman for the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation.
Brian and his wife Kelly have two daughters, Tessa and Abby.
Sadie Hawkins
Assistant to President/CEO
Sadie Hawkins
Assistant to President/CEO
The Stephens County Development Authority is excited to announce the hiring of Sadie Hawkins as the new
Assistant to the President & CEO!
Sadie recently graduated from Kennesaw State University with a BBA in Marketing. She is also a licensed real estate agent and brings valuable experience in marketing and administrative support. She is eager to work alongside Brittany Ivey and local business leaders to advance economic development in Stephens County. A lifelong resident of Toccoa, Sadie and her family are active members of Ebenezer Baptist Church. She is the daughter of Kenny and Connie Yearwood and has two brothers, Sam and Ryan. Sadie is passionate about serving the community she calls home.
Sadie recently graduated from Kennesaw State University with a BBA in Marketing. She is also a licensed real estate agent and brings valuable experience in marketing and administrative support. She is eager to work alongside Brittany Ivey and local business leaders to advance economic development in Stephens County. A lifelong resident of Toccoa, Sadie and her family are active members of Ebenezer Baptist Church. She is the daughter of Kenny and Connie Yearwood and has two brothers, Sam and Ryan. Sadie is passionate about serving the community she calls home.
Rick Phillips
Treasurer
Rick Phillips
Treasurer
Rick Phillips was born and raised in Toccoa Georgia. After serving in the US Army
for 8 years and civilian law enforcement for 5 years, Rick medically retired from law enforcement. He has been in the corporate investigations and security industry since 1985 and founded The Phillips Group in 1990.
Rick is an active member in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and the American Society for Industrial Security. He also holds almost every major certification in the corporate security industry.
Rick has served on the Henry County Planning and Zoning Board, and the Toccoa-Stephens County Airport Authority. He was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to the Rural Development Council and the Georgia Rural Healthcare 180 Task Force.
Rick and his wife, Letha Walters Phillips, live in Toccoa and are active members of the Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Rick is an active member in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and the American Society for Industrial Security. He also holds almost every major certification in the corporate security industry.
Rick has served on the Henry County Planning and Zoning Board, and the Toccoa-Stephens County Airport Authority. He was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to the Rural Development Council and the Georgia Rural Healthcare 180 Task Force.
Rick and his wife, Letha Walters Phillips, live in Toccoa and are active members of the Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Cassandra Wilkins
Board Member
Cassandra Wilkins
Board Member
Cassandra Wilkins is a native of Toccoa-Stephens County Georgia. She is a dedicated Human Resource professional with over 20 years of experience driving talent acquisition, employee engagement and organizational development.
Cassandra currently serves as the Human Resources Manager for US-Georgia and Ireland Operations at Patterson Pump Company. Prior to joining the Patterson team, Cassandra was the Director of Human Resources for American Specialties Inc. and also served as HR Professional at Eaton Aerospace Corporation.
Cassandra is a 1987 graduate of Stephens County High School and an honor graduate of North Georgia Technical College where she received a degree in Business and Information Technology in 1997. She continued her business studies at Truett-McConnell University located in Cleveland, Georgia. Cassandra received her Masters of Business Administration degree in Management from Purdue University –Global in 2013 as a Cum Laude graduate.
Cassandra is a strong believer in giving back and helping the community. She believes the true measure of a person’s life is what they do for others, especially when there is a need. She further believes in the importance of making a positive impact in the lives of others and leading by example.
Cassandra continues to serve her community by participating and volunteering on several boards and civic organizations to include the following: Technical College Foundation Association (TCFA) Board Member, North Georgia Technical College Foundation Board, Chair, Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Chair, The United Village Center, Inc. Board President.
Cassandra’s ultimate passion is spending quality time with her family and is married to “Geno” Wilkins who serves as a Captain for the Georgia State Patrol.
Cassandra currently serves as the Human Resources Manager for US-Georgia and Ireland Operations at Patterson Pump Company. Prior to joining the Patterson team, Cassandra was the Director of Human Resources for American Specialties Inc. and also served as HR Professional at Eaton Aerospace Corporation.
Cassandra is a 1987 graduate of Stephens County High School and an honor graduate of North Georgia Technical College where she received a degree in Business and Information Technology in 1997. She continued her business studies at Truett-McConnell University located in Cleveland, Georgia. Cassandra received her Masters of Business Administration degree in Management from Purdue University –Global in 2013 as a Cum Laude graduate.
Cassandra is a strong believer in giving back and helping the community. She believes the true measure of a person’s life is what they do for others, especially when there is a need. She further believes in the importance of making a positive impact in the lives of others and leading by example.
Cassandra continues to serve her community by participating and volunteering on several boards and civic organizations to include the following: Technical College Foundation Association (TCFA) Board Member, North Georgia Technical College Foundation Board, Chair, Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Chair, The United Village Center, Inc. Board President.
Cassandra’s ultimate passion is spending quality time with her family and is married to “Geno” Wilkins who serves as a Captain for the Georgia State Patrol.
Evan Hellenga
Board Member
Evan Hellenga
Board Member
Evan Hellenga is a Quality Assurance Supervisor for Clayens in Westminster, South Carolina. He has over 30 years of quality management experience in the pigments and plastics industries. Evan is a graduate of the University of Georgia, earning a BS from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Evan was elected to a fourth term on the Toccoa City Commission and is currently serving as Mayor. He also serves on the Toccoa–Stephens County Humane Shelter Board, the Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation District as a Supervisor, the Stephens County Foundation as a Trustee, and the Toccoa–Stephens County Airport Authority. Evan is an active member of the Toccoa Presbyterian Church, where he serves on the Buildings and Grounds Committee and sings in the choir. He and his wife, Artie, have two children and five grandchildren.
Evan was elected to a fourth term on the Toccoa City Commission and is currently serving as Mayor. He also serves on the Toccoa–Stephens County Humane Shelter Board, the Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation District as a Supervisor, the Stephens County Foundation as a Trustee, and the Toccoa–Stephens County Airport Authority. Evan is an active member of the Toccoa Presbyterian Church, where he serves on the Buildings and Grounds Committee and sings in the choir. He and his wife, Artie, have two children and five grandchildren.
Chris Rickman
Board Member
Chris Rickman
Board Member
Chris Rickman brings more than 16 years of experience in nuclear energy generation and currently serves as a Director at a nuclear power generating station. His professional background includes roles as a Project Manager and Superintendent, and he earned his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2017.
A lifelong Stephens County resident, Chris is a 2003 graduate of Stephens County High School and earned his degree from the University of Georgia in 2007. He has served as a Stephens County Commissioner since 2023 and is committed to responsible leadership and economic development. Chris is a proud husband and father of three. Outside of his professional and civic roles, he enjoys waterfowl hunting and golf and is passionate about investing in the Stephens County community and helping shape a strong, sustainable future for the county.
A lifelong Stephens County resident, Chris is a 2003 graduate of Stephens County High School and earned his degree from the University of Georgia in 2007. He has served as a Stephens County Commissioner since 2023 and is committed to responsible leadership and economic development. Chris is a proud husband and father of three. Outside of his professional and civic roles, he enjoys waterfowl hunting and golf and is passionate about investing in the Stephens County community and helping shape a strong, sustainable future for the county.