Our Team

Chad Thumann joined the PEDC board in 2018. He is currently the President and CEO of Sideline Investments, LLC. He serves on the board of directors for the Lone Star Flight Museum, as a committee member for both the Pearland Prosperity Implementation Committee and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and as a member and former vice president of the Pearland Lions Club. He has previously served as a commissioner for Brazoria County Emergency Services District No. 4, on the board of directors for the Forgotten Angels Foundation and a member of the Bond Oversight Committee for Pearland ISD and the Pearland Citizens Drainage Committee.

Jerry Koza Jr. joined the PEDC Board in 2021. He is the co-owner of Profax/Lenco. He is also a board director for the Northern Brazoria County Education Alliance. A former City of Pearland Planning and Zoning Commission board member, Jerry also previously served twice on the Pearland Charter Review Committee, the Pearland Citizens Drainage Committee and as a board director for the American Welding Society Houston Section.

Randeep Nambiar joined the PEDC Board in 2021. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Stellium Inc. He has previously worked in a leadership advisory role at multiple Big 5 management & technology consulting firms. His industry experience has helped to develop technology innovation labs and refine industry standards with industry bodies like Warehousing Education and Research Council, Supply Chain Council, Confederation of Indian Industries, Retail Association of India, and drive co-innovations with SAP Labs globally.

Mona Chavarria joined the PEDC board in 2014. She is the president/owner of A&A Cleaning Services in Pearland. A member of the Pearland Rotary Club, she also serves as its treasurer. Other board service includes the Pearland ISD Education Foundation, the Silverlake Lions Club and the City of Houston Mayor’s Literacy Task Force, as well as a committee member for the Pearland Prosperity Implementation Committee. She also served as past chair and treasurer/secretary of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, as well as president, vice president and treasurer for the Adult Education Center.

Michi Bruns Clay joined the PEDC Board in 2022. She currently serves as the Regional Vice President for LiftFund. Michi is one of the founding members of the Greater Pearland Area Chapter of The Links Inc., where she serves as the Services to Youth Chair. Michi also serves on the Pearland Prosperity Implementation Committee, is a facilitator in the Brazoria County focused STEMulation Academy, and contributes to Keep Pearland Beautiful. She has previously served with the Pearland Chamber of Commerce. Michi is the Founder of Encompass Healthcare Management, Inc.

David Graham joined the PEDC Board in 2022. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for FranchiCzar. A long-time Pearland entrepreneur, David is also the CEO for Valhallan, Iron 24, and Math Reactor, as well as the Managing Director for Graham Ventures. He also serves on the Pearland Prosperity Implementation Committee and previously served on the Pearland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Dena Hanks joined the PEDC Board in 2023. She is an interior designer and owner of Hanks Design Group. A founding board member of the Pearland Leadership Foundation, she also serves as vice-chair. Other board service includes the Pearland ISD Education Foundation, where she previously served as president, and the Pearland High School Academic Decathlon Booster Club. She also served on multiple committees of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce and other previous service includes Pearland Library Advisory Board, Brazoria County Library and Foundation Board, Adult Education Center, Pearland ISD Long Range Planning Committee and Women in Leadership in Pearland.

Trent Epperson was named Interim City Manager for the City of Pearland in November 2022. Prior to this role, he has a combined sixteen years of service with the City, previously serving as Deputy City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Director of Engineering & Capital Projects and Director of Project Management. During his time with the City, he successfully developed projects that have been awarded $162 million in federal/state transportation funds and has overseen the delivery of over $900 million in capital projects. As the Deputy City Manager, he oversaw the Parks & Recreation Department, Information Technology Department, and Engineering & Public Works Department. Epperson also serves as on the Transportation Policy Council (TPC), Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and Transportation Improvement Program Sub-committee (TIP) for the Houston-Galveston Area Council and is a past chair for both the TAC and TIP.

Jim Johnson was named President/CEO of the Pearland Chamber in July 2021. Johnson comes to Pearland from his role as President and CEO of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce. He also previously served as President and CEO of the Lufkin/Angelina Chamber of Commerce. Prior to his tenure in Lufkin, he served as Vice President with the Pearland Chamber.

Matt directs all business attraction and retention activities for Pearland and is responsible for the overall operations for the Corporation, including business attraction, retention and marketing, transportation, mobility and infrastructure, Lower Kirby Urban Center, and corridors and beautification.

Brian oversees the implementation of strategies to attract new jobs and new investment in Pearland. His primary responsibilities include generating new business prospect leads and facilitating the attraction of new companies, along with coordinating business retention and expansion efforts.

Mou leads the implementation of workforce-related initiatives on behalf of PEDC to build and strengthen connections between Pearland’s talent pipeline and business community. She works with community partners to align and improve education and training services in the region and serves to develop connections among these providers and regional businesses to ensure Pearland is maintaining and enhancing its competitive edge in workforce and talent.

Melissa oversees the implementation and management of the PEDC marketing plan, and the design, development and direction of targeted campaigns to recruit new business to Pearland. She is responsible for all printed and electronic communication materials including the PEDC website, community and demographic information, and social media.

Valerie leads the implementation of PEDC’s efforts on new development, redevelopment, and beautification projects, with focuses on Lower Kirby and the city’s major thoroughfares. She works with property owners, businesses, appraisers, attorneys, engineering, planning and environmental consultants and contractors to complete infrastructure improvements and beautification enhancements.

Jessica assists with the implementation of development and beautification projects and supports strategic planning, business attraction, retention, and marketing. She works with city departments, contractors and consultants to carry out the PEDC’s efforts on redevelopment projects and beautification areas through research, communication, and project management.

Roxanne coordinates and maintains the administrative support functions for the PEDC.