In a historic step toward advancing cultural heritage and community revitalization, the City of Paducah is partnering with KEES, a nationally recognized executive search and leadership consulting firm, to recruit the first-ever paid staff leader of the historic Hotel Metropolitan. This newly created and compensated position marks a significant milestone in honoring and continuing the work of Ms. Betty Dobson, the longtime community advocate, volunteer, and Founding Executive Director. Building upon decades of dedicated volunteer leadership by Ms. Dobson and the Upper Town Heritage Foundation Board, this role will help shape the next chapter of this vital cultural landmark. The position is part of a transformative initiative supported by a $1.34 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The City of Paducah secured the grant on behalf of the Upper Town Heritage Foundation and established a co-stewardship agreement with the Foundation, which owns the historic Hotel Metropolitan.

Now a museum and cultural space, the Hotel Metropolitan was built in 1909 by Maggie Steed as a safe haven for Black travelers during segregation. Featured in the Green Book, a vital travel guide for African Americans navigating Jim Crow America, the hotel hosted legendary guests including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Thurgood Marshall, and the Harlem Globetrotters.

Over the three-year grant period, the Upper Town Heritage Foundation will work to position the Hotel for a sustainable, vibrant future. The initiative includes new programming, increased staffing, facility improvements, and a stronger foundation for long-term success. This effort is also expected to enhance tourism and cultural preservation in the Kentucky region. This milestone partnership represents a major investment in Paducah’s strategic growth, with the incoming Executive Director playing a vital role in aligning the project with the city’s broader economic and community development goals.

“We are honored to partner with the City of Paducah and local leaders on this important historic hire,” said Heather Eddy, President and CEO of KEES. “This Executive Director role is an extraordinary opportunity to lead with innovation, collaboration, and a deep commitment to community impact and historical preservation.”

With 25+ years of experience, KEES specializes in placing mission-driven, transformational leaders across the nonprofit, civic, and public sectors. The firm is recognized for its ability to guide organizations through leadership transitions and build strong, values-aligned teams. Hotel Metropolitan and the City of Paducah selected KEES after reviewing several competitive proposals. This choice is a testament to KEES’s commitment to excellence, focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and its track record in creating new roles in partnership with a growing board, often related to a significant project expansion.

The national search for the Executive Director will launch in the coming weeks. Ideal candidates will bring strategic leadership, a passion for cultural preservation, and the ability to steward significant grant funding and community partnerships.

For confidential inquiries, candidate referrals, or more information about the Executive Director search, please contact Megan Taylor at mtaylor@kees2success.com.

About Hotel Metropolitan

Hotel Metropolitan Museum is a museum in historic hotel building in Paducah, Kentucky. The Hotel Metropolitan provided lodging for African Americans traveling through the area, was a stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit, and was listed in The Negro Motorist Green Book. The Hotel Metropolitan Museum focuses on African American history and now houses a museum dedicated to its history. In 2021, the museum received a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund to restore The Purple Room, and in 2024, it received a significant investment from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to upgrade hotel facilities and make significant investments in infrastructure.

About KEES
KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams with dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. A certified woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit KEES.

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KEES Media Contact: Jamie Sheffler, jsheffler@kees2success.com