(409) 383-6120 info@jasperedc.com

JEDCO Staff

Get to the know the staff

Executive Director

Eddie Hopkins

Born in Waco, TX, Eddie was raised in Newton TX and attended Public School there where he had the privilege of playing on Newton’s first State Football Championship team in 1974. After studying Criminal Justice and beginning a career with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Eddie began his 30 year banking career which ended in retirement from First Bank and Trust East Texas (formerly First State Bank Jasper and currently Southside Bank) in 2017.

Before becoming JEDCO’s Executive Director, Eddie served on the JEDCO Board from 2008 to 2017 and also spent 18 years on the JISD School Board of Trustees. He currently serves on the Boards of Deep East Texas Workforce Solutions, Jasper Higher Education and Technology Foundation, and the Jasper Public School Foundation and is the Immediate Past Chair of the Texas High School Basketball Official Association.

Executive Assistant

Sam Mathews

Sam Mathews was born and raised in Jasper. He graduated from Jasper High School in 2014. After High School, he attended UMHB and TJC. Before moving back to Jasper to work for JEDCO, he spent several years as an area manager for a dry cleaning company based in Waco, Tx.

Sam and his wife are a member of the First United Methodist Church here in Jasper. He is an active outdoor enthusiast. And looks to grow and become more active in the community.