Following a nationwide search, the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) is pleased to announce that Joe C. McKinney has been named the association’s new Executive Director. Upon the recommendation of the NADO Executive Committee, NADO’s Board of Directors approved the appointment on October 16, 2012 at the association’s annual meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. McKinney most recently served as Executive Director of Land-of-Sky Regional Council in Asheville, North Carolina.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, NADO provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the national network of 520 regional development organizations. The association and its members promote regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions to strengthen the economic competitiveness and quality of life across America’s local communities.
“Joe brings an exceptional set of skills and talents to NADO. Under his tenure at Land-of-Sky Regional Council, he showed time and again that strong leadership, innovative thinking, and diverse partnerships are critical to the success of regional development organizations. His background will serve him well at the helm of NADO,” said NADO Immediate Past President Russ Cowley, Executive Director of the Six County Association of Governments in Richfield, Utah.
NADO President John Leonard, Executive Director of the Southern Georgia Regional Commission in Valdosta, agreed. “Joe’s energy and excitement is contagious. I am confident that under his leadership, NADO will grow to new heights in the coming years.”
McKinney has twenty-one years of experience in local and regional government, having served in city, county, and regional government management since 1991. He had served as Executive Director of Land-of-Sky Regional Council since January 2003. Under his leadership, Land-of-Sky has been recognized nationally for its innovation and program expansion in areas such as planning and economic development, workforce development, transportation and transit, aging services, volunteer services, and geographic information systems.
Prior to his time at Land-of-Sky Regional Council, McKinney served as Executive Director of Eastern Carolina Council of Governments. He also has served as a County Manager for Mitchell County and Town Manager for the Town of Spruce Pine, both in North Carolina, and County Administrator for Chesterfield County, South Carolina. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Public Policy Analysis from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a candidate for a Masters Degree in Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Upon his appointment, McKinney stated, “It is an honor to accept this appointment. NADO has been a critical resource over the years and I am thrilled to be taking this new role. I look forward to working with NADO’s membership and staff to build upon the organization’s strong history of supporting regional strategies and partnerships to improve quality of life across America’s regions and communities.”
Joe is married to Melanie McKinney and they have five children. He will assume the executive director role on October 29.
Building on nearly four decades of experience, the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) serves as the national voice of regional development organizations. The association is an advocate for federal community and economic development programs and policies that help local communities improve their local economy and quality of life.
