Dozens of business members from Moberly and Howard counties said their goodbyes during a retirement reception for Randy Asbury, President of the Moberly Area Economic Development Corporation. The reception took place at the MAEDC headquarters in Moberly.

MAEDC promotes investment within Howard and Randolph counties to expand existing businesses, attract new business, and support community and entrepreneurial development.

Asbury has been a member of the MAEDC since 2019, and was named president in 2022 when former president Michael Bulgalski left the organization for a career in banking.

Asbury announced his retirement in September. Since then, the MAEDC launched a search for a new president, which it recently widened. In the meantime, Director of Business Development Kaylee Paffrath will steer the ship until a new president is found. 

Prior to joining MAEDC, Asbury represented Chariton, Macon, and Randolph counties in the Missouri legislature. He was also a Randolph County Western District Commissioner and the executive director for the Coalition to Protect the Missouri River for 15 years.