They’re the real thing. 

That was the message from Cindy Jones as she presented Mark and Anne Lackey, co-founders of HireSmart Cares, with the Nonprofit of the Year award at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet Feb. 12. 

“When you first meet this dynamic duo, you might honestly wonder if a couple this generous and genuine could be too good to be true,” said Jones, a longtime ag educator and director of the new Madison County Ag Center. “But anyone who knows them quickly realizes that they are the real thing.” 

HireSmart Cares, a Madison County-based 501(c)(3), has invested tens of thousands of dollars in helping K-12 students develop job-ready skills and discover career pathways that don’t require a mountain of college debt. 

Jones described the Lackeys as partners in every sense of the word since meeting in 1997 — “partners in life, in business, and in their shared commitment to lifting up the people around them.” She told the audience how Mark’s revelation from a simple bumper sticker on Interstate 85 — “No Farms, No Food” — changed the course of their lives. 

“It was a simple but life-altering message, as he realized, ‘I have to do something. Without the next generation of farmers, we lose that,'” said Jones.  

That realization led the Lackeys, longtime entrepreneurs who had already built multiple successful businesses, to found a nonprofit dedicated to helping students develop real-world skills without taking on heavy debt. 

Anne looked out at the banquet crowd and spoke about what Madison County means to her and Mark.  

“We love Madison County and we are very grateful to have a home here and friends here in a community that I’ve never had,” she said. “It’s so fun to come to an event and see so many friendly faces, people that we know and people that we love. It (the award) is a little shocking, but thank you.” 

She recalled how HireSmart Cares came to be. Mark brought her the idea, and she agreed on one condition — this was the last new venture.  

“I came alongside and expanded it to workforce development and entrepreneurship,” she said. 

Mark said the bumper sticker on I-85 carried a weight he couldn’t ignore.  

“It was God’s vision to me of what we can do to impact this community and impact the whole world one kid at a time and try to make things better,” he said.  

He said the vision couldn’t have happened without Anne, the “implementer” in their business partnership.  

“The best decision of my life was getting married to this young woman, and she has supported me through a lot of ideas,” he said.  

Jones told the audience that what sets the Lackeys apart is how personally invested they are.  

“They invest both their time and their resources into grants, mentorship, and programs that support trades, agriculture, and career readiness for young people,” she said. “Beyond these formal initiatives, they are constantly showing up. They mentor students, support our local educators, and step in wherever there’s a need.” 

That showing up takes many forms. HireSmart Cares has funded an ag barn expansion, JROTC drone programs at schools in multiple states, grants to construction teachers, grants for robotics, healthcare, ag mechanics, automotive programs, entrepreneurship competitions for teen business owners, and a variety of other programs and initiatives focused on helping students find a career path. The nonprofit’s “Foot Forward” program provides quality work boots and grants to graduates entering the workforce or the military at career signing days each spring. 

The Lackeys also frequently teach in local high schools, where they shake hands with every student in construction classes and walk them through the basics of job interviews: eye contact, firm handshakes, showing up on time, and leaving your phone in the car.  

Mark closed his remarks by asking for help to do more. 

“We’re all the time speaking about what we can do,” he said. “And I bring that idea to you. If there’s anything you think of where we can help the education program by funding any educators to give ideas to these kids so they can be better with their thoughts and processes so they know where they’re going the Monday after graduation. We’re trying to guide that as best we can.” 

Jones said the award is not just a celebration of the nonprofit but of its founders.  

“Tonight, we celebrate HireSmart Cares Foundation not just for what they accomplish, but for who they are — generous leaders, caring neighbors, and a couple whose impact will be felt in our community for generations to come,” she said. “They truly live by the belief that we should leave this world better than we found it.” 

To learn more about HireSmart Cares, visit hiresmartcares.org. To share an idea on how to support local youth, email info@hiresmartcares.org. To make a donation, visit hiresmartcares.org/donate.