The Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Board is looking for a new executive director less than two years after hiring its last leader.

Caroline Childs resigned about 17 months into her tenure to take a new position at Piedmont Hospital.

“This opportunity just presented itself. I’m thrilled to be still in Macon and working for an organization I equally love,” Childs said at the conclusion of Thursday’s Arbor Day tree planting at Carolyn Crayton Park.

Childs will be leaving at the end of the month to begin working in physician outreach for the same hospital corporation she worked for in marketing after finishing college. The hospital still holds “a special place in her heart,” she said.

Childs delivered both her young sons at the hospital, including her baby boy born late last year.

She ran into some former hospital colleagues at a reception and learned of the new position, she said.

“It was such a good fit for me and my family,” Childs said.

In September of 2020, Childs replaced Pam Carswell, who retired after eight years leading the beautification organization that was one of the first pilots for local affiliates of Keep America Beautiful.

KMBB board members were enthused about the “young, energetic energy” Childs brought to the effort. One of her first tasks was to update the organization’s logo and branding as she enhanced social media outreach.

Mayor Lester Miller recruited her and the organization early in his “Clean Streets Matter” initiative that he launched in January of 2021, a few weeks after taking office.

KMBB has since organized multiple community cleanups and distributed supplies for the countywide efforts.

“I asked her to come aboard to help her create excitement and energy for KMBB,” Miller said.

In its first 11 months, the campaign completed nearly 200 neighborhood cleanups and removed nearly 5 million pounds of debris from illegal dumping sites, according to the county website.

Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful hired Childs through Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting. Because of the Arbor Day celebration, the KMBB board did not hold its regular monthly meeting so it is unclear how they plan to look for a new executive director.

Childs will be leaving at the end of February.

“I love KMBB,” Childs said. “Whenever someone is hired, I’ll come back and train them because I want them and the organization to succeed. … The next thing is to transition out well and leave this organization in the best hands.”

– Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities and can be reached at [email protected] or 478-301-2976.

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