SOD Center Director to Take North Carolina Job

SALEM, Ohio – The executive director of the Salem Area Sustainable Opportunity Development Center will be leaving for a new position in North Carolina, the organization announced this morning.

Michael Mancuso, who has served as the SOD Center’s executive director since 2014, has accepted a position as president and CEO of the Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce in North Carolina, the Salem economic development organization said.

“The Board of Directors would like to extend their thanks to Mike for his outstanding efforts in transforming the SOD Center into a true business retention and development extension of the city of Salem and the region,” said Shawna L’Italien, board president. “We wish Mike the best in his future.”

Mancuso will officially leave his position Feb. 2. The search for a new executive director is underway.

The SOD Center is a nonprofit economic development agency that is designed to encourage and create a sustainable entrepreneurial environment by helping business startups, existing businesses’ expansion and retention efforts, and business attraction programs.

In a statement emailed to the press, Mancuso thanked the community for its support and said he is confident the next executive director will continue the momentum established by the organization.

“Economic development only happens when everyone can come together for the common good,” he said. “Together, we’ve been able to accomplish a lot in a very short period of time.”

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