The Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) Board of Directors announced today that President Justin Maxson is accepting the position of executive director at the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation in Winston-Salem, N.C. His tenure at MACED will end on February 27. The Babcock Foundation supports organizations in the southeastern United States that help people and places move out of poverty and achieve greater social and economic justice.
“Justin is an exceptional leader and is doing important work in the region and state, and has done a great job helping us build a strong organization,” said MACED Board Chair Ron Eller. “We are proud of MACED’s accomplishments, and consider it a compliment that Justin will now be able to carry the message, values and work of MACED to new heights.”
MACED’s Board will now put into action a plan for finding Maxson’s replacement.
“It has been a true honor to be the President of MACED,” said Maxson. “Working with the staff, board and partners has been the highlight of my professional career. I feel great about the work we have done together to create new opportunities and a brighter future in the region. I look forward to bringing what I have learned about economic transition to the Babcock Foundation’s work across the South.”
Maxson leaves MACED after 13 years of service to the 39-year-old organization. Under his leadership, MACED grew from eight staff and one program to 32 staff and six programs that cover a diverse array of important sectors, including enterprise development, clean energy and energy efficiency, sustainable forestry, and statewide and regional research and policy.
MACED program highlights during Maxson’s tenure include the development of an innovative energy efficiency financing partnership with several regional rural electric cooperatives, and the creation of a new statewide research and policy effort focused on economic issues. Also during Maxson’s time as president, the organization’s total assets under management grew from $6.8 million to more than $27 million. Central to this growth was $33.2 million dollars that MACED invested in eastern Kentucky small businesses and entrepreneurs.
“Justin has been an incredible leader at MACED, and has grown the organization significantly since his arrival here 13 years ago,” said MACED Executive Vice President Peter Hille. “MACED will continue to do strong and innovative work. Our quality staff, good relationships and effective programs bode well for the future, putting MACED in a position to continue making great strides toward a more just and equitable Central Appalachia and Kentucky.”
MACED works with people in Kentucky and Central Appalachia to create economic opportunity, strengthen democracy and support the sustainable use of natural resources.
