Mr. Maksim “Max” Khudiakov, CEcD, is the Director of Economic Development & Tourism for the Town of Red River, a role he has held since March 2022 after initially joining the Town in 2020. In this position, Mr. Khudiakov leads initiatives in tourism development and promotion, downtown revitalization, business retention and expansion, infrastructure planning, and strategic grant acquisition.
Mr. Khudiakov is deeply committed to data-informed, community-driven strategies that build long-term economic resilience in rural and tourism-based communities. He has implemented numerous award-winning programs that have earned state and national recognition, including multiple Excellence in Economic Development Awards presented by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
His leadership extends beyond Red River as President of the Enchanted Circle Marketing Cooperative, a regional alliance promoting tourism and economic growth across northern New Mexico.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Khudiakov served as Assistant Director of the Red River Chamber of Commerce, where he supported local businesses through marketing, events, and workforce development programs.
He holds the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and brings specialized expertise in Business Retention & Expansion, Real Estate Development & Reuse, Economic Development Finance, Marketing & Attraction, and Small Business Development.
Mr. Khudiakov earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Altai State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at the University of New Mexico. He also holds certifications in economic development, destination management, digital marketing, and project management.