News

ECO names interim director

By Bill Moss, Published: April 22, 2014

Mary Jo Padgett, a co-founder and past executive director of ECO, has been hired as interim executive director of the organization.

Starting April 21, Padgett will assume the position vacated by former Executive Director Rachel Hodge, who has accepted a position as Environmental Programs Coordinator with Henderson County.

Padgett is co-founder of ECO (the Environmental and Conservation Organization) and was executive director until 2007. A search committee is being formed to find a permanent replacement.

"Mary Jo comes to the interim director position with experience and a strong history with ECO, which is invaluable," said board president Jan Partin. "Mary Jo's experience enables the organization to remain stable and secure at this time."

ECO, a nonprofit organization, was formed in 1987 in Hendersonville to preserve the natural heritage of Western North Carolina and to be an effective voice for the environment.