Days after the abrupt departure of Joe Max Higgins as chief executive officer of the Golden Triangle Development LINK, the largest economic development group in north Mississippi, the organization has provided at least some reason as to why Higgins was let go.
“The Executive Committee of the Golden Triangle Development LINK was compelled to remove Joe Max Higgins as CEO after learning of workplace behavior and speech espoused by Mr. Higgins over an extended period of time that do not reflect the values of this organization and the communities we serve,” a Wednesday afternoon statement from the LINK’s executive committee reads.
Higgins, who had been with the LINK for over 20 years and had at least $10 billion in economic development to his name, was removed from his position Sunday after a vote within the LINK’s executive committee decided “a leadership transition is in the best long-term interest of the organization and the region we serve.”
As speculation from community members swirled and some elected officials in the group’s service area of Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha counties questioned the decision – including Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill, who told the Columbus Dispatch it was “hastily made” – the LINK decided to clarify what led to Higgins’ firing without disclosing too many details.
Higgins, known as an economic development baron who doesn’t mince many words when getting deals done, took it well past profanity on the way to being fired, according to the LINK’s executive committee: “Mr. Higgins’ conduct goes well beyond profanity, and, if known, would harm every member of the community.”
For the time being, chief operating officer Meryl Fisackerly has taken over Higgins’ duties as a search for a new CEO is expected to get underway in the coming weeks. The release noted that LINK stakeholders will receive a chance to engage in the search process, as well.
“While our region has experienced much success during Mr. Higgins’ tenure, the LINK is stronger than one individual. It is often said that economic development is a team sport, and this sentiment certainly holds true in Clay, Lowndes, and Oktibbeha counties,” the statement continued. “We owe much of our success to our committed elected leaders and other stakeholder who understand and support our efforts. Our dedicated and experienced team will continue the work that has made the Golden Triangle so successful.”
During Higgins’ time as CEO, he helped the LINK bring plants for Steel Dynamics, PACCAR, Airbus, and Yokohama Tire to the area and was a driving force in the construction of four megasites and plans for a fifth being unveiled earlier this year.
