The El Cajon Citizen of the Year Committee announced Wednesday that local businessman Joe Mackey is the winner of the 2018 El Cajon Citizen of the Year award.
The committee, which is comprised of local organizations and groups like the El Cajon Rotary Club, the El Cajon Police Officers Association and the East County Chamber of Commerce, accepted nominations for the award for a one- month period beginning in mid-November.
Mackey, the founder, president and CEO of XL Staffing Service Inc. and Excell Security Inc., is behind honored for his support of nonprofits and volunteer work, according to the East County Chamber of Commerce. St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center and the East County Economic Development Council are among the organizations that have received support from Mackey, the chamber said.
“Serving and volunteering in the community is just something that I’ve always done, starting with my rearing in Texas,” Mackey said. “In Texas, I was involved in the Jaycees and a chamber or two. I didn’t change when I moved to California. Giving back by serving on boards and committees is so important to sustain a vibrant and healthy community.”
Mackey ran staffing companies in Temple and Dallas, Texas, New London, Connecticut and Las Vegas prior to settling in El Cajon in 1989. He founded XL Staffing in 1996 and Excell Security in 2000.
Since 2007, Mackey has been on the East County EDC Board of Directors, serving as board chair from July 2016 to June 2018. He has also served on the boards of directors of the East County Chamber of Commerce and the East County Chamber Foundation, the Cajon Valley Union School District board and the Cajon Valley Educational Foundation.
The city of El Cajon will honor Mackey Feb. 5 at the El Cajon Elks Lodge. Residents can purchase tickets for $25 each at eastcountychamber.org or by calling (619) 440-6161.
