(Ridgeland, Miss.) – Innovate Mississippi announced that the 2016 John I. Rucker Community Innovation Leadership Award was presented to Jon Maynard, president and CEO of the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation.
Innovate Mississippi presents this award annually, recognizing the outstanding efforts of an individual or organization in forming dynamic and productive partnerships with academia, government and the private sector as a means to drive innovation-led economic development that supports the economy, creativity and job growth.
“Oxford has become a major hub for entrepreneurial activity in the state, even as a relatively small town,” said Tony Jeff, president and CEO of Innovate Mississippi. “That’s in large part because of the work of Jon Maynard and the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation. His ability to collaborate with The University of Mississippi and the business community to foster an environment where entrepreneurs are excited to grow their companies has been pivotal to the success.”
Maynard accepted the award during Innovate Mississippi’s 17th Annual Conference on Technology Innovation luncheon held November 2 at the Jackson Marriott.
“I am honored to have been chosen for this award,” said Maynard. “Innovation-led economic development has been the strategy in Oxford for many years. It is important that we have strategic partners like Innovate Mississippi and our successful entrepreneurs. I accept this honor on behalf of the Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation and the stakeholders that allow us to do what we love every day.”
The first Mississippi Community Technology Leadership Award was presented to John I. Rucker in 2002. In 2008, the award was renamed the John I. Rucker Community Innovation
Leadership Award in honor of Rucker for his outstanding role as a visionary and economic developer.
Innovate Mississippi is a nonprofit organization with the mission to drive innovation and technology-based economic development for the State of Mississippi. Visit www.innovate.ms for more information.
