PLENARY SESSIONS

Jeff Cown

Director, Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Jeff Cown was appointed Director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources effective August 2023. Georgia EPD protects Georgia’s air, land, and water resources through the authority of state statutes and major parts of five federal environmental statutes. These laws regulate air quality, water quality, hazardous waste, water supply, solid waste, surface mining, underground storage tanks, and other areas.

Jeff first began his career with the DNR’s Environmental Protection Division in August of 1990. He started as a permit reviewer for solid waste handling facilities.  In 1995, Jeff was promoted to lead the Municipal Solid Waste Handling and the Surface Mining Units.

In 2005, Jeff became the lead of the Solid Waste Management Program which handled permitting, closure, and reclamation, technical assistance for all solid waste handling facilities, and surface mining facilities for the state.  In 2012, Jeff was promoted to Assistant Land Branch Chief and then to the Land Branch Chief in 2013.  In his Branch Chief role, he led all land-based programs within the EPD.  was also responsible for overseeing the Underground Storage Tank, Solid Waste, and Hazardous Waste Trust Funds.

In September of 2018, Jeff was appointed to Director of the State Parks and Historic Sites Division of DNR. The Parks & Historic Sites Division manages 70 properties that preserve the state’s environment and history. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Colonial Coast, these sites offer an exceptional variety of activities, such as hiking and biking, fishing and boating, picnicking, ranger programs, historic enactments, and golf for nearly 14 million people each year. Currently, 65 state parks and historic sites are open to the public, offering 400 cottages, 414 lodge rooms, 2,486+ campsites and six golf courses.

Jeff is a 1986 graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering (Go Dawgs) and a 2009 graduate of the Institute of Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL), Georgia’s environmental leadership program.  Jeff lives in Monroe and has 2 grown sons and 6 grandchildren.

Brigadier General Daniel H. Hibner

Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South
Atlantic Division

Brigadier General Daniel H. Hibner commissioned in 1993 from Kemper Military College. During his 29 years as a commissioned officer, he served in numerous command and staff positions in the United States and the Middle East and currently serves as the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division.

Brigadier General Hibner joined the South Atlantic Division from Fort Leonard Wood, where he served as the Commandant of the U.S. Army Engineer School. Prior to his assignment as Commandant, Brigadier General Hibner commanded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District from 2018
to 2021. He has held various leadership positions from platoon to brigade; and has deployed once in support of Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo, four combat tours to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and one deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Other previous assignments include Levant Branch Chief for the Plans and Policy Directorate, U.S. Central Command; participation in the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS) Senior Service College, Norfolk, Virginia; Chief of Plans for the 4th Infantry Division; Commander of the 4th Engineer Battalion during Operation Enduring Freedom; Deputy Chief of Staff for the 4th Infantry Division; Operations Officer for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division; Operations Officer for 1-8 Infantry Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team; Plans Officer for the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq; completion of Command and General Staff College and the Advanced Military Studies Program (SAMS), Emergency Operations Center Chief, District Executive Officer, Project Engineer, Construction Manager, and the Fallujah Resident Office Officer in Charge of Reconstruction for the New Orleans District; Assistant Brigade Engineer and Battalion Adjutant during Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo; Company Commander of Alpha Company, in 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division which included a deployment to Iraq for the invasion in January 2003; and Platoon Leader and Battalion Maintenance Officer in the 65th Engineer Battalion. Brigadier General Hibner served in the U.S. Army Reserves as an infantry officer for three years before transitioning to active duty as an engineer officer.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Purdue University, a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, a Master of Military Arts and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies, a Master of Science in Campaign Planning and Strategy from the National Defense University and is a Project Management Professional. His awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and is also the recipient of the Army Engineer Association’s Bronze and Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal.

Dr. Philip Seagraves

Department of Economics and Finance

Dr. Philip Anthony Seagraves holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Real Estate from Georgia State University, an M.B.A. in Business Administration from Emory University, and a B.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Georgia. He joined MTSU in 2014 and has been a pivotal figure in developing the University’s Real Estate Studies Program.

His research interests include innovative housing, real estate securities, brokerage, and the role of AI in the real estate industry. Dr. Seagraves has published extensively in renowned journals such as Real Estate Economics, the Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, the Journal of Property Investment & Finance, and the Journal of Real Estate Research. His work has also been recognized with several awards, including the State Farm Outstanding Professor Award at MTSU and the Presidential Award from the American Real Estate Society.

In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Seagraves is an active real estate advisor, investor, developer, and broker. He holds a real estate brokerage license in Tennessee and has previously held licenses in Georgia and Wisconsin. He is the Managing Editor of The Journal of Real Estate Practice and Education, on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Property Investment and Finance and the Journal of Real Estate Portfolio Management, and has served as the President and Director of the American Real Estate Society. As a member of the prestigious Counselors of Real Estate®, Dr. Seagraves provides advisory services on myriad real estate matters.Dr. Seagraves is dedicated to bringing real-world experience into the classroom, teaching courses such as Principles of Real Estate, Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Investments, and Real Estate Brokerage Management. He also launched Raider Realty, a unique brokerage where MTSU students can gain hands-on experience in the real estate industry before graduation. His commitment to student success and his innovative approach to real estate education continue to make a significant impact at MTSU.

Lee Lance

CEO and Co-founder at Ecobot

Lee Lance, an executive leader and entrepreneur, has significantly impacted the environmental and digital sectors through leadership roles throughout his career. Since 2018, he has been at the helm of Ecobot, a NatureTech company he co-founded with the vision of accelerating environmental permitting processes and leveraging field data to enhance AI-driven technology for conserving natural resources. Under his leadership, Ecobot has raised over $4M from venture capitalists, acquired a competitor, and received numerous awards, including the 2022 and 2023 Products that Count and the 2022 NC Tech AgTech/CleanTech awards.

A recognized speaker and participant in environmental and tech industry events including GreenBiz, Environmental Business Summit, IA in AEC, TENSOS, and the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Conservation Conference, Lance’s contributions extend beyond his immediate professional responsibilities, impacting environmental conservation efforts and digital innovation on a global scale. He is on the board of directors of Unique Places to Save, a non-profit conservation land trust. His work has been featured in Forbes, Engineering News-Record, and TechCrunch, underscoring his influence and thought leadership in both the environmental and digital landscapes.

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