NEDCO Staff and Officers
Larissa Philpot-Brown, AICP
President and CEO
Mrs. Larissa Philpot-Brown served as the Planning Director for the City of Nacogdoches prior to the EDC. Larissa has a strong relationship with the community and business leaders. An Arlington, Texas native, Mrs. Philpot-Brown is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, where she received her bachelor's degree in environmental science and a master's degree in public administration. Mrs. Philpot-Brown worked her way up in the city's planning department, where she joined as an intern while still a student at SFA. She was named assistant city planner in 2003 and planning director in 2009, and earned certification through the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Mary Frances Bradford
Director of Business Development
Ms. Mary Frances Bradford brings extensive experience and strong community ties to her role at the NEDCO. She spent 36 years in the medical field as a Certified Medical Technologist and Blood Bank Specialist, including 15 years as Director of the Blood Center of East Texas. During that time, she also served on NEDCO’s Executive Committee. Thanks to her deep commitment to Nacogdoches, in 2013, Ms. Bradford began volunteering with NEDCO, quickly transitioning into a full-time position. She later completed the Economic Development Institute program at the University of Oklahoma to further strengthen her economic development credentials.
A graduate of Nacogdoches High School and Stephen F. Austin State University, Ms. Bradford holds a degree in Medical Technology. She is also a graduate of Leadership Nacogdoches and a former board member of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, where she remains active through the Business Development Committee. Ms. Bradford has held numerous leadership roles at First United Methodist Church, served as President of the Fredonia Rotary Club, and is a Paul Harris Fellow.
Scott Bowyer
Chairman of the Board
Mr. Scott Bowyer is an Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer, at Commercial Bank of Texas, N.A. He has been with the Bank since 1994 and has served in many roles, including Credit Analyst, Consumer Lender, Commercial Lender, and Market President before moving into his current role. Mr. Bowyer is a 1998 graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance. He is also a 2006 graduate of the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Georgetown University. As a lifelong resident of Nacogdoches, Mr. Bowyer has been extremely active in the community. In addition to currently serving as the NEDCO Chairman, he has served as the President of the Nacogdoches Jaycees, President of the Nacogdoches Youth Baseball Association, served as a Board member of United Way, the Texas Bankers Association, and currently serves as the Treasurer of the Nacogdoches Industrial Development Authority. Mr. Bowyer is married to Carolyn Bowyer, and together they have five children.