ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 3, 1996 TAG: 9604030022
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
SOURCE: ELISSA MILENKY STAFF WRITER
After a nationwide search that yielded 70 applicants from Alaska to Alabama, the New River Economic Development Alliance found its new executive director in its own back yard.
Pulaski County businessman Hiawatha Nicely, a past president and organizing director for the alliance, was formally named this week to the nonprofit regional marketing agency's top post.
Nicely, who has run his own consulting company for the last two years, was the only Virginian among six finalists. The job has been open since Franklyn Moreno left in August.
Alliance President Barry Evans said Tuesday that Nicely was the best person to address the organization's major goals. Though the alliance will continue to market the New River Valley nationally and internationally, Evans said the organization will refocus much of its energies toward existing businesses.
The new role of the director, Evans explained, is to "do a little more homework here at home."
"We see the executive director basically playing the role as helmsman for local economic development as well as having good relations with industries for expansion purposes and retention purposes," he said. Evans would not disclose Nicely's salary. He said the alliance's budget is still being worked out.
Nicely, who was a vice president at Magnox Inc. in Pulaski for eight years, has been involved in local economic development initiatives for years.
In addition to his work with the alliance, Nicely was president of the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the New Century Council's economy sector and a member of the Blue Ridge Economic Development Commission, just to name a few. A listing of Nicely's activities spans more than a page.
"I feel very comfortable working with the professionals in those areas," he said.
Nicely's first goal as the new director is to evaluate the alliance's five-year plan and the direction of its board of directors.
"I know you will see a much more vibrant alliance that will be keeping the public more involved," he said.
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: headshot of Nicelyby CNB