Derieth Sutton, EDFP, MS, EPM

Director of Economic Development & Government Relations
Niagara Bottling, LLC
Groveland, FL

Sutton oversees a team of Economic Development and Government Affairs Professionals through the process for both new and existing domestic and international plant expansions; government relations; strategic alliance building; incentive negotiation and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in electronic journalism; a Master of Science in Public Administration; and a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management. She currently serves as Chair of IEDC’s Public Policy Advisory Committee (PPAC) and is an avid supporter of IEDC’s Certification Process. Sutton serves as a Certification Review Course co-instructor at the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) and funds scholarships to Year 2 and Year 3 EDI students to assist in their professional development. In addition, Sutton is a voice for the bottled water and beverage industries. She serves as Co-Chair of the International Bottled Water Association’s (IBWA) Government Relations Committee; and is a member of the State Affairs Task Force, PAC Board, plant sitting sub-committee and the Healthy Hydration Task Force. Sutton also represents Niagara in the American Beverage Association (ABA); the Coalition for GSP (Generalized System of Preferences); and the SHIP (Safer Hauler & Infrastructure Protection) Coalition.