Greg Walker-Wilson, Chief Executive Officer for Mountain BizWorks announced his resignation to the board and staff today.  Walker-Wilson is leaving his position effective June 1 for a three year volunteer assignment with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Colombia, South America. 

MCC is the relief, development, and peace building agency affiliated with the Mennonite Church.  MCC might be best known by its subsidiary, Ten Thousand Villages, and its network of 150 fair trade stores around the country. 

Walker-Wilson’s mission through the MCC will be to offer support, training, capacity building, and small business advice to grassroots groups who want to create and sustain self-run income generation and agricultural projects.  His wife, Susanne Walker-Wilson, is a social worker and will have a trauma healing position that offers training and support to local churches and other local organizations as they work with victims of violence. 

In his address to staff, Walker-Wilson stated, “This is much more about our family’s life experience and values being transformed than a strategic career move.  I’m not frustrated or tired or burnt out – in fact I still love this job and organization.  I feel privileged to have worked 11+ years in a job that I’m passionate about, am good at, and where I believe in the organization’s mission and its impact on the community.” 

Sallie Broach, board chair, announced that fellow board member John Mark Stroud has been appointed to lead the executive search committee.  Broach commended Walker-Wilson for his dedication to the organization.  “Greg cannot be replaced, but with change comes new possibilities and the board is excited to move forward,” affirmed Broach.

Stroud is a commercial broker for Spake Real Estate, former owner of Fast Signs in Asheville, and past board president of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.  

Mountain BizWorks is a not-for-profit organization building economic opportunities through business development and capital.  The organization has 17 permanent staff members and 25 contract employees serving offices in Asheville, Hendersonville, and Sylva.  

For more information on Mountain BizWorks, visit www.mountainbizworks.org.