Morehead State University has announced that John Will Stacy has been hired as regional economic development director.
He will begin the grant-funded position on Nov. 3. Stacy will be based at MSU at West Liberty.
"After completing a comprehensive search, we are pleased to have a person with John Will Stacy's knowledge and skill accept this position," said Dr. J. Marshall, executive director of the center for regional engagement. "He will be a tremendous asset to our outreach efforts due to his understanding of the Appalachian people and the challenges we face."
Stacy will provide leadership and facilitation of community and economic development initiatives in 54 Appalachian Regional Commission eligible counties throughout Appalachia; facilitate interagency coordination; work with local leaders to initiate project development; partner with and meet regularly with the Area Development Districts (ADDs) in the region; and work with organizations such as Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED), Southeast Kentucky Economic Development (SKED), and Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC), and other leading development nonprofits. He also will aid MSU in developing and implementing a strategy to address key issues from the Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) report.
After 22 years as a state representative, Stacy will officially retire at the end of 2014. As a native of Morgan County and West Liberty resident, he is one of the longest-serving members of the House.
"I am excited to be back at my alma mater and begin this new chapter of my life," said Stacy. "I look forward to the challenge of this new position and to help with the SOAR initiative in east Kentucky."
Stacy earned his bachelor's degree from MSU and a law degree from Northern Kentucky University's Salmon P. Chase College of Law.
