| Martin Community Development office sees leadership change |
By: By Sabrina Bates, Chief Staff Writer
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Karami Hagan
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After a year and a half in the role of Martin Community Development Director, Karami Hagan said her goodbyes taking a new position in Paducah, Ky.
She began her venture with the City of Martin in April 2006. Since that time, Hagan’s list of professional achievements has grown to encompass a wide variety of roles and responsibilities.
Hagan said she has worked hand-in-hand with community committees such as the Martin Historic Business District, Martin Beautiful Committee and the Martin Community Development Committee.
A large-scale event that takes at least a year in advance to plan is the Tennessee Soybean Festival, which takes place in September of each year in Martin. While the event continues to grow, Hagan has considered the Martin Community Development Director a key participant in the coordination of the annual festival.
“Of all of these accomplishments, the one I am most proud of is the Martin Business Association. I have worked very hard alongside the MBA Interim Board to start this group. I truly hope the MBA continues to be a united force within the community,” Hagan said.
Since Hagan’s inception as CDD, she has developed a new community profile, marketing materials for the city and new holiday street banners.
The buzz on the Texas-based Buxton Group has given the City of Martin a marketing tool, which combines psychographic information about the area and allow the city to recruit the appropriate retailers.
Hagan recently accepted the position of Project/Research Manager for the Greater Paducah Economic Development Council in Kentucky.
“I plan to continue living in Martin, so I will stay on as a ‘community resident’ member and be as active with the MBA as I possibly can. I have enjoyed my time with the City of Martin, but most importantly, I appreciate all the wonderful friends I have made along the way,” Hagan said.
Taking over the helm as Martin Community Development Director is Kimberly Craddock. Craddock has said she is no stranger to the position and is looking forward to once again working in the capacity of the city’s community development.
‘I look forward to working with the board of mayor and aldermen, the businesses, organizations, the citizens and the University of Tennessee at Martin,” she added.
Craddock explained that one of her goals in the role of CDD is to foster the establishment of the Martin Business Association.
“I believe that by working together, this community can achieve great things. I also plan to oversee the projects that began under the past CDD, including the Buxton Retail Company and the downtown revitalization program. I plan to engage the MCD Committee by encouraging them to bring ideas to the table,” Craddock added.
She said she encourages others with ideas to contact her at 588-2507.
“It’s not about what I want to do, but what the community wants me to do,” Craddock added. She and her husband have four children and reside in Martin.
WCP 10.18.07 |
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