Athensmade, a nonprofit founded in 2015 to build awareness of local businesses and attract talented entrepreneurs, creatives, and young professionals to Athens, has announced the selection of Mary Charles Howard as its Executive Director. The selection was made after an intensive and multi-month long search was conducted by the Athensmade board.

“We are honored to have Mary Charles join our team as the Executive Director,” reported Davis Knox, Co-Founder and CEO of Fire & Flavor and Chairman of the Athensmade board. “Her passion for our work combined with her past leadership on relevant projects are continuing to help us build critical momentum and community engagement at this stage in our evolution. Our board remains inspired by her natural talents for connecting with leaders within our community and throughout our great state.”

Howard’s resume includes over 6 years of experience as an entrepreneur in Athens. As creator and operator of Athens Food Tours from 2010 to 2016 and the Agro Cycle Tours from 2011 to 2016, Howard formed strong bonds with local business owners and became familiar with introducing Athens’ hidden gems and personalities to visitors and locals alike. Most recently Howard has been involved in statewide economic development through her work as a Landscape Architect and the Director of Marketing at Williams & Associates, where she became involved in statewide economic development projects, as well as GEDA and SEDC. Howard also led the Perspective on Progress Tour, an economic familiarization tour of Athens-Clarke and Oconee Counties, as project manager in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

“I look forward to continuing to collaborate with Athens’ creatives and organizations to leverage the existing business community,” remarks Howard.  “Athensmade is a great resource to drive local economic growth by bringing a diverse group of community leaders together. We aim to engage the community in the development of a succinct and well known spirit of pride around doing business in Athens. I am passionate about supporting existing local business as well as attracting talent to and cultivating talent within Athens.”