Staff
Mike Ford
President and Chief Executive Officer
cmfn@aol.com | 478-722-9909, x 102 | 478-447-0535 (cell)
Mike is originally from Lenoir City, Tennessee and is an alumnus of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Accounting. Mike is a member of the Macon Rotary Club, a Leadership Macon graduate, and a former member of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Mike is married and has two sons, and he enjoys coaching Little League baseball, golfing, hunting, skiing, and traveling.
At NewTown, Mike is responsible for the overall vision of NewTown Macon and downtown Macon. He works with potential investors, businesses, and community leaders to help revitalize downtown.
Gail Mansfield
Chief Financial Officer
gail@newtownmacon.com | 478-722-9909, x 104
Gail is a Macon native and an alumna of Mercer University. Prior to serving as CFO at NewTown, Gail spent 20 years as a Certified Public Accountant in both public and industry accounting. Gail is a Leadership Macon graduate, member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Georgia Society of CPAs, and the Career Women’s Network. She has two teenage daughters and enjoys reading, watching movies, and following Georgia football.
At NewTown, Gail is responsible for managing all financial aspects of NewTown, including managing payments, revenues, and cash flows, developing the budget, implementing appropriate internal controls and strategic planning, and working with auditors. Gail also manages company liabilities, maintains financial relationships, and oversees all financial obligations.
Laura Schofield
Executive Vice President
laura@newtownmacon.com | 478-722-9909, x 107 | 478-321-8711 (cell)
Laura is originally from Atlanta and has lived in Macon since 1995. She is an alumna of Emory University and Georgia State University (M.Ed). Laura is a Leadership Macon graduate and has served on the boards of Junior League of Macon, Crisis Line & Safe House, and The Center for Racial Understanding. Laura is married and has a daughter and two stepsons. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and writing poetry.
At NewTown, Laura is responsible for capital campaigns and annual fundraising, grant writing and management, donor relations, and special program management. Laura has worked for NewTown since 1999 and has managed two fundraising campaigns that raised $50 million for revitalization projects.
Hal Baskin
Director of Business and Real Estate Development
hbaskin@newtownmacon.com | 478-722-9909, x 108 | 478-955-1411 (cell)
Hal is a Macon native and an alumnus of The Georgia Institute of Technology. Hal is a member of the Macon Rotary Club and is married. He enjoys spending time outdoors, especially near rivers and mountains.
At NewTown, Hal is responsible for working with people who are interested in locating businesses downtown, helping them find suitable sites, and making necessary connections with agencies for building improvements. He also assists people interested in developing a downtown site or undergoing building renovations and assists with the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail construction.
Kris Hattaway
Director of Place
kris@newtownmacon.com | 478-722-9909, x 106 | 478-550-2185 (cell)
Kris is a Macon native and an alumna of The University of Georgia, with a degree in Journalism. Kris is a Leadership Macon graduate and serves on the board of the Macon Arts Alliance, American Red Cross Central Georgia Chapter, College Hill Corridor Commission, and is Public Relations Chair of the Junior League of Macon. Kris enjoys attending concerts, traveling, and cooking.
At NewTown, Kris is primarily responsible for marketing, events, and promotions. More specifically, Kris manages NewTown’s social media and website, Friday Fest, and The Opening Act, while also handling all media relations, press conferences, and event coordination.
Willie Nesbitt
Director of Trolley Operations
478-722-9909, x 105
Willie is a Macon native and an alumnus of Central Georgia Technical College. Prior to serving at NewTown, Willie served in the military and retired from the Macon Transit Authority after 30 years. Willie is married and has 3 children and 6 grandchildren. He is a recipient of the 2011 Macon Arts Alliance Cultural Award and he enjoys meeting and greeting new people, fishing, and travelling.
At NewTown, Willie is responsible for the trolley, from rentals to operation.
Mark Thompson
Photographer & Special Events Assistant
mark@newtownmacon.com
Mark is a Macon native and an alumnus of Georgia Southern University and the North Georgia Technical & Vocation Photography Department. Mark has one son and enjoys camping, travelling, antiquing, scouting, rustic retreats, and art and coin collecting.
At NewTown, Mark is responsible for around town photography, serves as Park Ranger at Amerson Water Works Park, and assists with event setup and overall logistics.