Stephen Plunk

Chair

Stephen Plunk was born in Sikeston, Missouri but got to Savannah as quickly as he could. He graduated high school from Savannah Arts Academy and then went to the University of Georgia where he majored in Political Science and minored in History, graduating in 2013. Stephen initially went into politics, spending time in Washington, D.C., Louisiana, and Atlanta working on campaigns before moving back to Savannah where he shifted into sales, going to work for Old Town Trolley in 2015 as the Vendor Sales Representative until 2020 when he left to become the Member Services & Sales Manager at the Tourism Leadership Council.

Stephen also stays involved in the community, serving on the Zoning Board of Affairs, Citizen Advocacy Board and as Board Chairman of the Savannah Repertory Theatre, in addition to serving on the Savannah Development and Renewal Authority Board since 2016, becoming Vice Chair in 2022. He also runs SODA (South Of Derenne Avenue) a local business networking luncheon. Stephen lives downtown and enjoys spending his time drinking at Moodright’s, reading fantasy books, playing board games, and rooting for the Dawgs.

Jason C. Pedigo

Vice Chair

Born and raised in Savannah, Jason Pedigo attended the University of Virginia before graduating cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law. In 2004, he returned to Savannah to practice law, where he is a partner at the law firm of Ellis Painter. Jason focuses his practice on commercial and business disputes and serves as a managing partner for the firm. Jason is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Savannah and remains active in his church, Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, and the community at large.

Brad Baugh

Treasurer

Brad Baugh grew up in the Washington, D.C. area and studied business at the University of Arkansas. Since moving from Key West to Savannah in 1997 to purchase and renovate his first home, he has been the principal in developing and preserving dozens of historic properties; three projects received Preservation Awards from The Historic Savannah Foundation. Currently, he is the broker and principal of Longleaf Partners, a board member of the Savannah Development and Renewal Authority, and the treasurer of the Victorian Neighborhoods Association.

In January 2020, he became the co-owner of Brighter Day Natural Foods with his business and life partner, Kristin Russell. In addition, he is a licensed captain and avid sailor who spends his spare time exploring the world’s islands and waterways. His 28-year-old son Matisse owns a pizza cafe in Crested Butte, Colorado.

Kathy Ledvina

Secretary

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Kathy achieved undergraduate and graduate degrees from Arizona State University, the Savannah College or Art and Design, and an MBA from the University of Illinois. Savannah has been home since her SCAD days when she worked on various preservation endeavors with her mentor, renowned preservationist Leopold Adler, II, which included some of SDRA’s initial Broughton Street efforts. Her preservation advocacy encompasses work at the local, state, and national levels.

Locally her business focuses on preservation-related real estate, construction, and consulting by spearheading plans to improve Savannah’s built environment. As a community activist, she serves multiple disciplines: global affairs, historic sites, women, and children. Her off-hours are spent traveling, performing DIY projects, and exploring Chatham-Savannah’s rich history.

Yolandra Shipp

Director At-Large

Originally from North Carolina, Yolandra Shipp moved to Savannah in 2007. Since becoming a resident of Savannah, she has actively pursued her academic desires in obtaining three Master’s Degrees in Public Administration, Health Administration, and Business Administration with a concentration on Organizational Leadership.

She continued to seek other areas to continue her learning to share her skills. She is currently enrolled at the University of South Florida for Certification in Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality and was recently accepted to the SuperMarjority Leadership Program. She is involved in community activism and political education, and awareness. She serves on the local, regional, and national levels of her sorority and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Yolandra has dedicated her life to young girls and women’s empowerment, encouragement, and inspiration with her non-profits, Academic Girls Empowering for Success, and Women of Wonder. The mother of Myha Dyonnye and Nannyze to Faith Myha Noell. She gives tirelessly to the community on several boards, commissions, and agencies. Yolandra’s skills include communication (verbal and written), cooking, and event planning. She enjoys traveling, crafting, and entertaining.

Chassidy Malloy

Director At-Large

Chassidy Malloy is an 18-year resident of Savannah. In 2008 she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Historic Preservation, including a minor in Architecture, from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Chassidy currently serves as a Community Organizer with Georgia Conservation Voters. This statewide organization mobilizes community residents to engage them in the civic process and advocates for justice in energy, government, and neighborhoods. Chassidy is active within the Savannah community and serves on various boards and committees, notably Savannah Development and Renewal Authority and the Savannah Downtown Neighborhood Association.

She is a graduate of the 2020 Leadership Savannah Program. Her extensive knowledge and appreciation of Georgia’s historical, environmental, and vernacular history, commitment to protecting her home state’s natural treasures, and excitement in building broad community alliances benefit the SDRA Board.

Matthew Emmer

Board Member

Matthew Emmer was born in Frankfurt, Germany, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, focusing on Audio Engineering, from Clemson University and a Masters, in Film and Television, from the Savannah College of Art and Design. He is the owner of Emmer Photo, a creative media company specializing in architectural and automotive photography. He was Co-Founder and Creative Director of the former Vintage Auto Film Exhibition, a traveling event that brought a curated collection of automotive films to the big screen. In 2018 he served as Artist-in-Residence at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Matthew’s photography has been featured in various publications, including Garden & Gun, South, Celebrate Hilton Head, and Savannah Scene. Matthew is active within the Savannah arts community, is President of Friends of the Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refuges, and serves as the Communications Director for Hugaroo, a national non-profit. A Savannah local for over a decade, Matthew has been an ambassador for his neighborhood, the Highlands, spearheading numerous initiatives against incompatible development and zoning, often presenting before City Council. He has been a member of SDRA since 2021. His interests include marketing, design, promotion, urban planning, and environmental impact.

Chrissy Flemming

Board Member

Chrissy Flemming is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, but has lived in Savannah for the past decade. She attended the University of Alabama, earning a degree in Finance and Economics. She works for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as a Financial Institution Examiner and Capital Markets Specialist. Chrissy is also the founder of VicTreeFi, an education technology company providing financial literacy software to collegiate athletic programs.

In Savannah, Chrissy has been a member of the Junior League of Savannah from 2013 until 2016 and served as the President of the Red Shoe Society of the Ronald McDonald House of the Coastal Empire from 2016 until 2021. In addition, she has been a member of SDRA since 2021. Her skills and interests include financial analysis, municipal government, public speaking, and information technology.

Jerry Lominack

Board Member

Jerry Lominack grew up in Greer, South Carolina, and moved to Savannah in 1964 after earning a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from Clemson University. He has made Savannah his home ever since, practicing architecture for over 50 years. His work has received numerous design awards from the American Institute of Architects Savannah chapter, AIA Georgia, Historic Savannah Foundation, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, and many other organizations. Jerry was inducted into the College of Fellows of the AIA in 2015.

Jerry has been involved with SDRA since 1993, first serving on a committee, later serving on the Technical Advisory Board, and on the Board of Directors since 2005. He has also served on other boards, including the Historic District Review Board, the Savannah Arts Commission, and the boards of both Historic Savannah Foundation and Telfair Academy. Jerry has twice served as President of AIA Savannah and as President of AIA Georgia. His main interests include quality of life issues, the design and planning of our built environment, and historic preservation.

Marysue McCarthy

Board Member

Having moved to Savannah from Atlanta in 2015, Marysue McCarthy graduated from the University of Tampa with a dual degree in English and Speech & Drama. She has always been an active person with varied interests. She has been a copywriter, TV producer, owned a catering business, was a small business consultant, and completed her professional odyssey, having excelled as a financial advisor for 25 years. Marysue has served on the SDRA Board since 2017 and is also on the Board of the Downtown Neighborhood Association, concentrating on public safety.

She also conducts both report writing and public speaking classes for the officers of the Savannah Police Department, devoting time as a liaison between the police volunteers and the department. In addition, Marysue’s talents include project organization, money management, copywriting, photography, and entertaining.