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Chad Chancellor to Step Down From Paducah Economic Development Leadership

Paducah Economic Development

Paducah Economic Development President/CEO Chad Chancellor has announced that he'll be stepping down from his post in September to pursue new job opportunities. 

He said he wanted to make the announcement now to give the PED Board ample time to form a search for a new president. 

"I've always wanted to start my own business and recently I've been thinking about what I want to do," said Chancellor. "I'm 32 years-old and I've been doing this for 10 years. I've been in four different communities but you've always got the same issues. I want to be able to make my own decisions and not have to worry about big boards or and the many different opinions as  you have to when you're working in the public light." 

Chancellor said he's still brainstorming ideas but that he'd like to start his own economic development firm to continue aiding communities negotiate company investment and leadership.  

Chancellor said two of his proudest accomplishments since his starting his post in 2010 include getting funding for the new Murray State University Paducah Campus as well as bringing in automotive supplier Whitehall Industries.

He said he's leaving the PED on good terms and believes there's a good deal of upward economic momentum in Paducah right now, but the biggest challenge for his successor will be thecleanup and transition of the Paducah Gasesous Diffusion Plant.

"The DOE has the money for the cleanup contract but has not let it out yet, but that's gonna create a lot of jobs," said Chancellor. "There's still much work to be done on all of that and I'm sure that will be high on the next person's priority list." 

He said the board plans to begin a national search soon in order to find a replacement in time for his last day Sept. 16. 

Rob Canning is a native of Murray, KY, a 2015 TV Production grad of Murray State. At MSU, he served as team captain of the Murray State Rowing Club. Rob's goal is to become a screenwriter, film director or producer and looks to the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie for inspiration. He appreciates good music, mainly favoring British rock n' roll, and approves of anything with Jack White's name on it. When not studying, rowing or writing, Rob enjoys spending his free time with a book or guitar.
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