Johnson named HCECF director
Holley Johnson was recently tabbed as the new executive director of Holmes County Education & Community Foundation. Johnson had previously served in that same capacity with Holmes Center for the Arts.
As executive director of the Holmes Center for the Arts, Holley Johnson has made it known that when it comes to digging in and getting things done, she is more than willing to do all the necessary work to accomplish goals.
Those goals are about to move from dance, music and the arts to helping both teens aspiring to attend college and community members searching for grants as she assumes the role of executive director of the Holmes County Education & Community Foundation.
Johnson’s passion for the arts helped her guide the HCA to great heights, where she helped pursue grant funding that allowed the HCA to build its new facility near Berlin.
However, she said her passion isn’t limited to the arts, noting she has a desire to connect with the community as a whole to help it thrive. Serving as the new executive director at HCECF is something she said is completely on par with what she desires to do.
“I’ve been toying with the idea since November, and I’ve gone back and forth for a while in determining whether or not to leave the arts center,” said Johnson, who ran a strong race at becoming a Holmes County commissioner last year before falling just short.
She said her desire to serve the community has continued to ebb and flow, and she said when she was part of the team that recently worked to secure an Appalachian Grant, it spurred her to consider this new job.
“I saw such a great need there within our community,” Johnson said. “I felt so burdened for all of these local organizations in Holmes County that were trying to do these wonderful projects and programs (through the Appalachian grant funding). It was millions of dollars’ worth right here in Holmes County, and I thought there has to be a way I could help make that happen.”
Then the HCECF position became available, and she felt it was God opening a new door for her to explore.
She said she knew the HCECF already had this incredible college student grant program in place, but the community portion of the organization is fairly young, and she felt called to help promote that aspect of the effort.
“I’m really excited about the community aspect, and they were looking for someone to develop that part of the organization, and that really interested me,” Johnson said. “I think I liked the idea of moving from being a grant writer to a grantmaker and helping other organizations accomplish their goals.”
Having had the opportunity to see the HCA blossom from a seed to what it is today, she is excited to help organizations and nonprofits experience that same type of growth.
Still, leaving the HCA remained a struggle for Johnson because it was such a passion project for her.
However, she said one of the defining moments in her seeking to move on was knowing the HCA had many people in place who can keep the momentum rolling, and she said it is especially comforting to her knowing the HCA already has a qualified replacement for her waiting in the wings, although she said the official announcement has yet to be made as to whom the new executive director will be.
“I don’t think I would have done this had we not had someone special in place to replace me,” Johnson said. “I have so much peace, and I needed to have that peace in order to take this step.”
Outgoing HCECF Executive Director Shasta Mast, who took over the role as head educator with the Leadership Holmes County program, said the committee was excited to bring Johnson on board, especially since they had a quality crop of applicants from which to choose.
“We were lucky to have a great group of applicants,” Mast said. “They were qualified, and fortunately, we were able to narrow it down, and Holley rose to the top with everything she has accomplished at the arts center.”
Mast said Johnson’s ability to help create something special from scratch was a huge factor, and they were excited to see her vision take shape in her new role.
“Holley understands the culture here, and this is a great fit for her because she has plenty of experience from working with the commissioners on the (Appalachian) grant. She got to see the needs in all of the different communities, and with the foundation expanding to include charitable grants, it pares well with her vision to support community.”
Johnson will not give up the arts cold turkey. She will continue to teach ballet and will continue to serve on the HCA board as she makes the transition. She also will serve as a great sounding board for the new HCA executive director, although she said she wants the new person coming in to make it his/her own and put his/her signature on the HCA.