MATT ARNOLD
PRESIDENT / CEO
Matt Arnold is originally from Birmingham, Alabama. He joined MCEDC in 2000 and was promoted to President/CEO in August 2001. Before joining Marshall County, he worked as the Economic Development Coordinator for Bibb County, Alabama. He is a graduate of the University of Montevallo and holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Matt has been a board member of the Southern Economic Development Council, the Economic Development Association of Alabama, and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. Currently, he serves as Secretary of the Tenn-Tom Waterway Development Council. His community involvement includes serving as past president and Paul Harris Fellow of the Guntersville Rotary Club, involvement with the United Way, the Boy Scouts of America, and the First Methodist Church of Guntersville.
He is a 2002 graduate of the Marshall County Leadership Challenge and a member of Leadership Alabama (Class XVII). Additionally, he was a past member of the University of Montevallo National Alumni Association board of directors and was appointed by Governor Robert Bentley in 2017 to serve on the University of Montevallo Board of Trustees. He was honored with the 2013 President's Award from the North Alabama Industrial Development Association.
LARRY BROCK
EXISTING INDUSTRY COORDINATOR
Larry, a native of Marshall County, Alabama, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management with a Minor in Economics from Jacksonville State University. He has accumulated 32 years of experience in manufacturing, working with liquid gas, medical laboratory equipment, medical-surgical devices, and trucking logistics in small to medium-sized manufacturing organizations across North Alabama. For the last 12 years, Larry has been involved in logistics for military contractors, where he was responsible for sending drones to military facilities both domestically and internationally. He holds several certifications, including Lean 6 Sigma Green Belt, HazMat Certification Dangerous Goods, and Secret Security Clearance.
After a 44-year career in industry, Larry joined the Marshall County Economic Development Council in July 2021. He currently serves as the Existing Industry Coordinator, with a primary focus on supporting existing businesses and industries within the county. Additionally, Larry is the Executive Director of the Marshall County Manufacturers Association, a membership organization with over sixty member companies.
Larry is married with two sons and one grandchild, and he resides in Arab, Alabama.
LAURA BRASWELL
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Originally from Plano, Texas, Laura Braswell moved to Marshall County in 2013 following her husband’s career relocation. She and her husband, Jason, along with their two children, Brooke and Jax, quickly fell in love with the natural beauty and welcoming community surrounding Lake Guntersville.
Laura is deeply committed to community engagement and has been actively involved in several local organizations, including the Marshall County Human Resource Management Association, the Marshall Women’s Guild, and the Marshall County Leadership Challenge. Her experience in these groups sparked a strong passion for local economic growth and ultimately led her to join the Marshall County Economic Development Council, where she now leads Workforce Development efforts.
Before joining MCEDC, Laura attended Collin College with a focus on Applied Sciences and Psychology. She also built an extensive career in the dental field, where she gained valuable experience in public relations, communications, human resources, and marketing.
Known for her ability to build meaningful connections, Laura is dedicated to helping others reach their full potential and fostering opportunities for both individuals and businesses to thrive throughout Marshall County.