New Executive Director Named

The Marion County Industrial Foundation has named Brooklyn Hesterberg Leep as its new Executive Director.

Brooklyn Leep, Newly appointed Executive Director for the Marion County Industrial FoundationLeep comes to Marion County from the Kentucky Cabinet of Economic Development as a Senior Project Manager where she spent nearly three years working to attract new jobs as well as domestic and foreign direct investment into the Commonwealth.

“I’m extremely grateful and excited to continue my rural Kentucky roots in a community with an impressively diverse industrial base and is well- positioned for new recruitment opportunities,” Leep said.  “Nobody will ever be able to tell the story of Marion County better than its own people, and I look forward to working with the community and finding creative ways to attract more people to live and work in Marion County.”

A Morehead native, Leep is a graduate of Morehead State University and began her career as the Associate Executive Director for the Morehead-Rowan County Economic Development Council. Since then, Leep’s passion for rural economic development has only continued to grow stronger.

“We are excited to select Brooklyn to lead Marion County in its economic development efforts. She comes to us as a proven leader with both local and state experience,” said Freddie Higdon, President of Marion County’s Industrial Foundation. “Brooklyn’s passion and understanding for life in rural Kentucky will help move Marion County forward for continued success.”

Leep will begin as Executive Director on February 1, 2021.