Just in from the GSDP:
STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Greater Starkville Development Partnership Board of Directors has named John Maynard as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the organization. The development organization selected Maynard after a national executive search conducted by the PACE Group of Tupelo.
Maynard comes to the Greater Starkville Development Partnership from the Northwest Louisiana Economic Development Foundation (NLEDF), where he served as Vice President of Business Development. The NLEDF is a regional economic development marketing organization for 10 parishes in Northwest Louisiana.
Prior to joining the NLEDF, Maynard worked in the private sector with First Federal Bank of Louisiana and Great Loans Mortgage Funding in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He also served 11 years as President and CEO of Don Theaters, Inc. in Natchitoches managing a staff of over 30 people with multiple theater locations. Maynard has a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
The PACE Group completed community leader interviews in June to gain insight into what the community was looking for in a new CEO and prepared a Needs Assessment Report and Job Description. These reports were used to recruit candidates from all over the country as over 60 possible candidates were contacted from 16 states. Through these efforts 19 tier one candidates were identified and taken through the recruitment process to narrow the field to five finalists. The selection committee interviewed three candidates before making their decision.
“The Partnership’s goal of finding the right person for our community at this time has been successfully met. We are excited about John Maynard’s leadership abilities, his enthusiasm and his progressive approach to quality growth. Through collaborative efforts with Mississippi State University and continued involvement and support from our business leaders and elected officials, we are now poised for reaching our full potential,” Partnership Chairman Terry Kemp said.
“I am honored and thrilled to go to work for a strong organization in a community that prides itself on both Southern tradition and future innovation,” Maynard said. “The MSU motto of ‘State of the Future’ rings a special chord in today’s economic climate. Telling the world that this area is looking to develop the next great technologies and grow to be a leading community will be my job.
“I can’t think of anything more fun and interesting to do for a living. Mississippi is already being recognized within the economic development community as a growth center. My plan is to work with all of the communities in Northeast Mississippi to create a more attractive and positive region in which to grow our existing business, attract new industry and develop a better quality of life for everyone. The value of the Golden Triangle is a message that I will be proud to spread,” Maynard said.
“In light of MSU versus Louisiana Tech this weekend, I can safely say ‘Go Dawgs!’
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