Scenes From LACDC Business Meet & Greet For County Economic Development Administrator Max Khudiakov

August 16, 2026 - 03:02

Los Alamos County Council Vice Chair Ryn Herrmann, Economic Development Administrator Max Khudiakov, and Councilor Suzie Havemann were among those mingling at the SALA Event Center on Thursday evening. The occasion was a business meet and greet hosted by the Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation, or LACDC, designed to introduce Khudiakov to the local business community.

The event gave owners and operators a chance to sit down with the county's newest economic development lead in a relaxed setting. Attendees shared their experiences working in Los Alamos, discussed the challenges of running a business in a small community, and offered suggestions on how the county can better support local enterprise.

Khudiakov, who stepped into the role recently, spent the evening listening to concerns about workforce housing, the need for more commercial foot traffic, and the importance of keeping the county's economy diversified beyond the laboratory sector. Several business owners noted that having a dedicated administrator who is visible and approachable marks a positive shift in how the county engages with its commercial base.

LACDC organizers said the gathering was one of several planned to strengthen ties between local government and the business community. The hope is that regular, informal conversations like this one will lead to practical solutions and a stronger local economy. For Khudiakov, it was a first step in building relationships that will shape his work in the months ahead.