Published: Mar 22, 2022
Today, Next Move Group announced Chuck Sexton as CEO of Next Move Group. Sexton will begin his duties as CEO on Monday, April 4, 2022. Sexton spent four years working with Next Move Group Co-Founders Chad Chancellor and Alex Metzger at the Greater Paducah Economic Development Corporation in Paducah, Kentucky, from 2010-2014.
Sexton has been involved in community and economic development for almost 12 years, most recently serving as the President and CEO of One East Kentucky, a regional nine-county economic development organization serving the coal fields of Appalachian Kentucky. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Next Move Group’s table. Prior to his time in the economic development industry, he spent an additional 10 years in the private sector managing business development for an international supply chain company; developing strategic plans for small-to-medium sized companies; and advising on risk management plans for communities and private businesses.
“As Next Move Group continues to experience rapid growth, Chuck's sales skills and successful experience as a local economic development practitioner will help us serve our clients and grow the company,” said Chancellor. "Chuck worked with Alex and I for 4 years previously, its rare you get to hire someone which you have literally worked with previously and been battle tested with, Chuck knows us and we know Chuck. I have told people for years I think Chuck is one of the best local economic developers in America, and I am honored he joined our team."
While working with Chancellor in Paducah, Sexton was able to influence and educate based on his prior experience, including how to speak to those in the manufacturing industry. Chancellor had this to say: “Whether Chuck knows it or not, he taught me how to sell to manufacturers during a cold call in Canada while working for Greater Paducah. When I messed this meeting up, we got in the car, and he said, ‘Chad, this is how you need to do that the next time.’ I did what he said, and we landed deals thereafter."
“Chuck and I have a similar background - I care about economic development because I was raised blue collar with a dad who lost his job to China, and Chuck did as well. We do this because we love it, not for a paycheck. Chuck knows how to build relationships, I trust him, and he knows the business. There have been many occasions over the last eight years when I have called Chuck for his free advice to help us grow, now he will get paid to do it. He cannot start soon enough to suit me!” said Chancellor.
Sexton is a graduate of Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute and currently serves as a board member for the Kentucky Association for Economic Development Foundation where he is a member of their education committee. He is also a board member for Canopy, a non-profit B-Corp development organization. Sexton has served in other volunteer leadership positions in economic development including chairman of the Kentucky Association for Economic Development, board member for the Southern Economic Development Council, and executive board member for the Hazard-Perry County Economic Development Alliance.
Sexton's economic development successes while running One East Kentucky led to the creation of more than 1,000 jobs and $154 million of capital investment including but not limited too: Dajcor Aluminum, a Canadian aluminum extrusion company, chose Perry County for their very first US manufacturing operation; working with Martin and Magoffin Counties to make sure Logan Corporation remained in Eastern Kentucky, creating over 100 jobs since opening in Salyersville in 2016; and landing Thoroughbred Aviation at the Big Sandy Regional Airport in Martin County, as well as having assisted the region’s communities and industrial authorities in obtaining over $20 million dollars in grant funds for economic development and securing $1.2 million in Appalachian Regional Commission funds to support more community-based strategies and assistance with retail development and downtown revitalization.
Metzger reminisced on their time together in Paducah. He and Sexton have worked together in both economic development and as kids at the local Chuck-E-Cheese Pizza, even graduating from the same leadership class. “When Chad hired Chuck and I in Paducah, I remember the local newspaper running an article that said three 28-year-olds held the future of Paducah in their hands,” said Metzger. “We had tremendous success together back then, and I know we will have even more this time around."
“Next Move Group has grown 40 percent year-over-year for the last three years and it was important that we brought someone in that both Chad and I know can continue that growth trajectory. Chuck is a hard worker, is driven, and is someone we know has the personality to lead the company’s brand online,” continued Metzger.
Over the last seven years, Sexton has accomplished a lot with One East Kentucky.
“East Kentucky has been a rewarding opportunity and we have proven that being strategic in your efforts, working together between government and private business, engaging with knowledgeable partners, and implementing the right processes will lead to positive results regardless of the difficulty that others may view the challenge,” said Sexton.
"International manufacturers and distribution companies have located and grown within Eastern Kentucky over the past few years,” continued Sexton. “We at Next Move Group feel it is the perfect time for communities and businesses across the country to take hold of their future and steer it where they want it to be. We are facing uncertain times following an unprecedented pandemic and this time in critical to commit to developing and implementing strategies that build a foundation for a successful future. The Next Move Group team knows we have the ability and experience to assist local governments, non-profits, and private businesses in developing these plans and in making the right decisions to grow.”
“For eight years Alex and I have poured our hearts and souls into Next Move, and Chuck’s experience will fuel us for more growth as our company continues its Gazelle growth trajectory,” said Chancellor.
Chancellor and Metzger will continue to serve Next Move Group as its Co-Founders and Board Members with Chuck Sexton running the day to day activities of the company.
For more information, visit www.thenextmovegroup.com, or contact Chuck Sexton at 270-832-5990 or at chuck@thenextmovegroup.com.