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 relocated to Guntersville, Alabama in 2013 with her husband, Jason, and their two children, Brooke and Jax. The family quickly fell in love with the natural beauty of Lake Guntersville and the welcoming spirit of the community.
As Director of Workforce Development for the Marshall County Economic Development Council (MCEDC), Laura works closely with local industries, educational institutions, and community partners to strengthen the region’s talent pipeline. She leads initiatives that connect students and job seekers with career opportunities, supports industry workforce needs, and promotes programs that prepare the next generation for success.
Laura is actively engaged in the community, serving in leadership and volunteer roles with organizations such as the Marshall County Human Resource Management Association, the Marshall Women’s Guild, the Marshall County Leadership Challenge, and the Christian Women’s Job Corps. She is also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is passionate about education, leadership development, and professional etiquette training.
Before joining MCEDC, Laura attended Collin College, where she studied Applied Sciences and Psychology. She built a successful career in the dental field, gaining extensive experience in public relations, communications, human resources, and marketing. She now leverages these skills to foster workforce readiness and economic growth.