We Help Rural Communities Go From Where They Are To Where They Want To Be.
Our Services
Visioning + Strategic Planning
Leadership Education & Development
Leadership Education & Development
We help leaders and residents create an innovative, sustainable community vision and actionable strategic plan.
Leadership Education & Development
Leadership Education & Development
Leadership Education & Development
We help educate existing community leaders on emerging opportunities and help communities develop a larger, more diverse group of leaders.
Collaborative Action
Leadership Education & Development
Collaborative Action
We help communities increase collaboration and take action to implement
their strategic plans.
About Us
Dr. Malcolm Portera
Dr. Portera, the former President of Mississippi State University and Chancellor of the University of Alabama System, has been involved in economic development for the past 40+ years. Dr. Portera helped to recruit industrial development projects that have resulted in over $15 billion of capital investment in the Southeast U.S. These projects include Nissan-Mississippi, Yokohama Tire Manufacturing Mississippi, Hyundai-Alabama, Mercedes-Benz Alabama, Victor Company of Japan, and several others.
Andy Portera
Andy, an attorney by training, has worked with economic development organizations, city and county governments, and higher education partners since co-founding Portera & Associates in 2014. Andy’s consulting practice focuses on rural communities and organizations throughout the Southeast US. In addition, Andy has taken several partners on international recruiting trips to Germany, Japan, and South Korea.