Tracy Madigan, presently the manager of the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, has accepted a new position effective April 1. She will be the new director of the Henderson-Vance County Downtown Development Commission (DDC). Madigan confirmed the move in a text late last week saying, “I accepted the position as DDD. I have agreed to continue running the market through May — it’s only open on Saturdays — or until they hire a replacement, whichever comes first. Very hard decision; I love our farmers market!”

City Manager Terrell Blackmon confirmed the hire last week while discussing the passing of Dr. Stephen Pearson, who died Thursday at the age of 57. Pearson was at the time of his death the chairman of the DDC board of directors. Blackmon said, “She will be a City employee beginning April 1, 2021. She will be the City’s Downtown Development Director. … She will manage the City’s Main Street Program. She is replacing our previous Director Kathy Walters.”

Blackmon said one of Pearson’s “last acts as DDC Chair in recent weeks was serving on the interview panel for the hiring of the City’s new Downtown Director Tracy Madigan. His passion for Downtown Henderson was unmatched and he will truly be missed by the Henderson community.”

Paul McKenzie, agricultural area agent with Vance County Cooperative extension and immediate supervisor to Madigan, said, “We are incredibly grateful for everything Tracy has done for the market. She is a big part of the reason that the market is as successful as it’s been. Her dedication, her disposition, her demeanor, her professionalism, her creativity, I mean the list goes on and on and on. I mean, she’s the face of the market. We’re very very thrilled that she’s got this new position that she’s clearly very excited about and where she’ll be able to continue making a great contribution that uses her talents to the community.”

According to what Blackmon said, it’s the private industry experience, managing the farmers market and knowledge of the Henderson community that make Madigan a great fit for downtown. He said those are big pluses. “Farmers are also entrepreneurs/small business owners, therefore Tracy already has considerable knowledge in the marketing, retention and expansion of small businesses,” Blackmon said.

McKenzie said, “In a way, we haven’t even lost her because she’s still going to be a champion of the community and a champion of the farmers market.”

He said he was confident of finding a new manager to build on the past and present successes of the market. McKenzie felt like a smooth transition would be forthcoming.

Others are ready to help with a smooth transition for Madigan as well. “The NC Main Street program staff are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to assist with any additional training and technical assistance that Tracy will need to perform her job to the best of her ability,” Blackmon said.

He said, “When recruiting for the position, I certainly leaned on the Chamber Commerce along with other groups and individuals in the community to assist the City with identifying viable candidates to fill the position. There was some interest outside of Henderson, but most of our candidates were local, as well as, our finalists.”