Economic Development for Central Oregon added a new employee to its roster last week.

Ryan Culp was named the economic development director for Sunriver and La Pine, according to a Thursday news release from EDCO. Culp hails from Mississippi, where he worked as a senior project manager for the Mississippi Development Authority. He was recruited for EDCO by Express Employment Professionals, according to EDCO.

Culp takes over from Steve Parnell, who left EDCO in May. Parnell succeeded Janet Burton, said Elise Rossman, EDCO director of marketing and communications.

EDCO focuses on developing businesses and jobs in the traded sector.

Culp holds a bachelor of business administration in marketing from Mississippi State University. In 2016, he helped bring nearly 1,000 jobs and $220 million in investments to Mississippi, according to the release.

— Bulletin staff reports