The search for a new executive director of the Maysville-Mason County Industrial Development Process has begun.

MMCIDA oversight committee met Wednesday to formulate a plan to replaced now Mason County Judge-Executive Owen McNeill as the organization’s leader.

Following the death of Mason County Judge-Executive Joe Pfeffer in February, McNeill was named by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to fill Pfeffer’s unexpired term. That move left a vacancy in the MMCIDA leadership position.

McNeill was named the agency’s executive director in 2018, replacing Randall Lowmanwho was named following the retirement of longtime director Gene Weaver and a nationwide search for his replacement.

Dickie Butler, chairman of the MMCIDA Board of Directors said a process to replace the executive director was put in place when Weaver retired.

The position will be posted statewide for a candidate search, the committee decided Wednesday,

“We want to make sure it’s not only posted locally, but statewide. We want to cast a wide net,” Butler said.

Members of that committee include Maysville City Manager Matt Wallingford, Mayor Charles Cotterill, McNeill (as judge-executive), County Treasurer Kim Muse, board member Kenny Pitakis and attorney Sue Brammer along with Butler.

“This is the most important position in the city/county as it focuses on our future and employment here,” Cotterill said.

Since stepping into the county’s top job, McNeill said he has been trying to cover both positions because he had so many projects in the works. And while he may continue to do that, he also plans to ask the full MMCIDA board to consider hiring an economic development firm in the short term to send industrial prospects Mason County’s way, he said.

“The most critical issue right now is to not lose momentum,” McNeill said.

There are several projects currently in the pipeline expected to be announced through fall but to keep the string of wins coming after that, the groundwork needs to be laid now, McNeill said.

Hiring a consulting firm for the interim would also mean the oversight committee could take its time while conducting the search to make sure it finds the best possible candidate for the position, he said.

“These consulting firms can provide services such as sending prospects to Maysville and representing our opportunities,” McNeill said. “From a pay-for-prospect/project pay scale to full representation, these firms can help keep our momentum going while enabling our committee to vet and find the right person for the position instead of someone right now.” “Additionally, these firms can help introduce Maysville and Mason County to new prospects that possibly I’m not seeing or just don’t have a relationship with, which in my eyes, represents the true value,” he said.

McNeill said that option would be presented to the board at its April meeting.

“While contracting with a firm will be dependent on costs, retaining our community’s positive momentum is paramount,” he said.

In the meantime, McNeill said he is working with the committee to update the job description for the executive director’s post.