Grow Hays
David Clingan will join Grow Hays in the newly created position of Director of Recruitment and Retention. He will be responsible for establishing and conducting Grow Hays efforts for recruitment of new organizations to the community including commercial, industrial and retail entities. Duties will also include developing and maintaining relationships with existing businesses to understand needs, ensure retention and explore opportunities for expansion.
David has worked extensively in the retail sector as a store manager with Walmart, Target and Home Depot. Most recently David has served as the Major Gifts and Planned Giving Officer for Developmental Services of Western Kansas. David, his wife Jessica and two daughters, Elizabeth and Savannah, have made Hays their home for eight years.
“We had a number of very qualified applicants for this position” said Doug Williams, Executive Director of Grow Hays. “This made the decision a difficult one, but we are confident that David has the combination of real-world experience and commitment to the community that will allow him to do a great job. We are eager for him to get started and to engage with prospective organizations looking to locate in Ellis County as well as working with existing companies in our community."
Clingan will begin January 3rd, 2022.
Grow Hays Inc. is a nonprofit organization aimed at advancing the economic health and vitality of Ellis County and Western Kansas. Known for its efforts to promote a robust local economy through business creation, retention, expansion, and recruitment, Grow Hays has offered instrumental support toward numerous community successes, including the recently completed convention center, development of innovative job training initiatives, and BriefSpace, a coworking space and business incubator located in downtown Hays. Grow Hays also administers a housing redevelopment program and training programs designed to offer skilled-trade training to area workers.