Marshall to retire as President, CEO of SRC and Area Economic Development Corporation

SIKESTON — Starting as a young Sikeston Jaycee Mike Marshall has learned about and exhibited leadership for his life-long hometown and region. In June, Marshall will retire as the Sikeston Regional Chamber and Area Economic Development Corporation President and CEO after serving five years in the role and totaling more than 40 years of service to Sikeston and Southeast Missouri.

In 2021, Marshall led the effort to recruit Carlisle Construction Materials to Sikeston’s South Industrial Park. Carlisle Construction Materials is investing $120 million into the Sikeston facility and will employ over 130 people. The plant is set to open in the spring of 2023. More than $5 million in infrastructure will also be built around the plant location. Marshall along with the City of Sikeston, Missouri Department of Transportation, New Madrid Counties and other stakeholders have been working together to widen the intersection of U.S. Highways 60 and 61, add side roads and other infrastructure in the area.

Under his leadership, Marshall created a public-private partnership to expand the efforts of economic development for the Sikeston region. Some of these efforts include the creation of the Sikeston AgriPark, the development of the South Industrial Park into a Missouri Certified Site and assisting several industries in their decision to expand operations in their Sikeston facilities.

“Mike Marshall came on board just as we were combining the Chamber and Economic Development. When I look back over the past few years and the success we were able to achieve, I think about Mike and his teambuilding,” said Steven Burch, former Sikeston mayor and former chairman of the Sikeston Area Economic Development Corporation.

Marshall served for nine years on the Sikeston City Council. In 2003, Marshall became the first elected mayor of Sikeston under the new charter form of government. For six years as mayor, he guided the town through a historic ice storm in 2009 and played an integral role in recruiting Orgill, Inc. to Sikeston.

He served 14 years on the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority Board of Directors.

“My 14 years of service on the Port Authority exposed me to the important role this port plays in the economic development of our entire region,” said Marshall.

It was also during this time that Marshall became familiar with the Delta Regional Authority and its value to the success of communities across the Mississippi River Delta.

In 2010, Marshall was appointed by President Barak Obama to serve as the Alternate Federal Co-Chairman of the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). The DRA is a federal agency that covers eight states along the Mississippi River and invests $60 Million into these communities annually. Marshall used his experience as Mayor of Sikeston to create and develop the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative. This initiative organized dozens of community mayors with ports along the Mississippi River to work together to address issues such as flooding, port development and tourism.

Marshall began a 30-year career in banking as a young banker with First National Bank, now Montgomery Bank. He served as president of First State Bank and Trust of Sikeston before moving to the DRA.

Marshall’s investment into his community will follow him into his retirement. He will continue to champion one of his greatest passions with the federally designated Future Interstate 57. This future interstate will connect Chicago to Dallas through Sikeston, Poplar Bluff and Little Rock creating economic opportunity for the entire region.

“Our community has really come together around the Chamber, and they believe in our economic development efforts. This is in large part due to the relationships, the structure, and the team that Mike was able to build. The impact of what Mike has accomplished is going to be felt in our community for many years to come, and for that I am very grateful,” added Burch.

Marshall hopes to remain active in the hometown he loves and has dedicated his life to serve. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC). He is also on the Board of Directors for Missouri Delta Medical Center, the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport and St. Francis Xavier School.

“Mike has done an excellent job setting the foundation for where we want to go in the future,” said Heather Couch, chairman of the Sikeston Area Economic Development Board of Directors. “We feel with the new industries that have come to Sikeston and the existing industries that continue to expand here, we are in a good position to further expand our economic development efforts.”

“The Sikeston Regional Chamber of Commerce and Area Economic Development Board will begin recruiting a new President and CEO in March and are looking for a strong leader to continue Sikeston’s economic growth momentum,” added Couch.