After just over one year of service, Colton Buckley announced Saturday his intent to resign from his position as the Executive Director of Breckenridge Become, the new strategic alignment of the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation, Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Foundation, and Improvement Council.
He also currently serves on the board of directors of the Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas, representing the BEDC, as well as a member of the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) West Texas Council of Advocates.
Buckley stated he had notified local boards of his resignation Friday, June 3. His last day in these various positions will be Wednesday, June 15.
Buckley will return to the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (NARC&DC), where he previously served as the Second Vice President. He will take on a new role as the organization’s National Executive Director.
He traveled to Ozark, Ala. at the end of April to cut the ribbon on the NARC&DC’s new, permanent Alabama office. The office is housed within the Wiregrass RC&D Council office.
The RC&D Program was established in the Agriculture Act of 1962, with responsibility for the administration of the program placed within the Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Successive Farm Bills have provided for the further development of the program, including deepening the partnership between RC&D Councils and the NRCS through partnership agreements and grant funding as RC&D Councils are 501(c)3 non-for-profit corporations. There are over 200 active RC&D Councils across the United States and its territories.
“The mission of our organization is to build relationships, cultivate partnerships, and designate resources to enhance the quality of RC&D Councils to provide leadership, education, conservation, and the development of natural and human resources to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of the communities they serve, and there is no individual who is more passionate and talented to hit the ground running to revitalize communities across rural America than Colton,” William Hodge, National Board President, said. “Colton’s background from the fields of Central Texas to the floors of State Legislatures and the halls of Congress are just what we need as we mobilize our network of nonprofits to serve as the face of the future of American agriculture and rural communities in the upcoming Farm Bill. As he has been a former board member and consultant to the organization for quite some time, Colton’s dedication, and enthusiasm for rural economic development, supporting beginning farmers and ranchers, and championing American ag riculture is unparalleled.”
Buckley stated in an email he has enjoyed interacting with the community of Breckenridge over the last 13 months.
“I am honored to be offered this opportunity to take the reins of one of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) oldest and largest non-profit allies as we prioritize programs and opportunities that involve engagement of young, underserved, military veterans, and beginning farmers and ranchers, in addition to urban agriculture initiatives, rural economic development, and human resource development,” said Buckley. “Making the decision to depart from my current roles leading the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Foundation, and Improvement Council was not taken lightly. However, I fully believe that the Lord prepares us sufficiently to take the next step and lead with a greater impact. The opportunity to lead NARC&DC provides a platform at the national level to do some great things and focus on supporting rural communities like Breckenridge, Texas from coast to coast with an array of governmental, corporate, and community partners. While I am sad to leave Texas, I am excited for my next chapter in the Deep South.”
On April 1, 2021, Buckley took over the role of BEDC Executive Director, after longtime leader Virgil Moore announced his retirement from the position. Moore served more than 14 years in the leadership role.
Under Buckley’s leadership, the strategic alignment ‘Breckenridge Become’ was created in March 2022.
Buckley is the former campaign manager and adviser to Texas Commissioner of Agri culture Sid Miller and is a former member of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, appointed by Governor Rick Perry. He holds a master’s degree in communication from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., where he is currently pursuing a PhD in public policy online, and a bachelor’s degree in ag ricultural services and development from Tarleton State University in Stephenville.
