The search for an executive director headed the topics discussed at last week’s Wood County Economic Development Commission (WCEDC).

Interim Executive Director Jim Berry and board member Greg Hollen head up the search committee. They are seeking strategies through other organizations to make sure the new WCEDC director will come with the highest of qualifications.

“Jim (Berry) and I have a final draft of an extended four or five page job description. As we get to that first round of candidates which we anticipate talking to people within 30 days,” Hollen stated. “Sometimes governmental agencies have the desire to say we are going to have this job open until March 30, and we are going to sit and wait and if you are a great candidate hang tight, I know it’s the fifth of March, but you only have 25 more days to wait. If the 29th day we don’t have the right candidate we will need to refresh the strategy. What we decided to do is go hard at it, fast as we can, as long as we can. If we get somebody good we will woo them and vet them and if that takes two weeks, we will do it. We won’t wait for a 30 day period to be up.”

“I’m optimistic this time of year and this type of role and what we are seeing from some of the other organizations in the TML’s (Texas Municipal League) of the world and the ETCOG’s (East Texas Council of Governments) of the world,” Hollen explained. “This is the time of year, the beginning of the year, when folks will make moves on this type of issue. I’m optimistic we have a good high-powered board around this table and I think we will see the fruits of our labor.”

Hollen said he had been in contact with the city of Palestine and the methods they used in hiring for a similar position. He added they would possibly even share some of the candidates’ names who had applied for their position.

Berry added his thoughts on seeking applicants. “We do plan to place an ad with the Monitor because there might be a qualified candidate right here and we want to cover all the bases. This is a job we are looking for someone with very strong qualifications in experience and education,” Berry said. “I did talk to the ladies from Jarvis and they have offered their board room which is Skype capable so we will be able to use that if we need to and not waste money on travel.”

Board chairman Tom Keenan added, “I do think this is the number one thing on our agenda right now.”

The board voted to spend $1,625 as their part of an effort hosting Fishing University along with Lake Fork Sportsman’s Association, Quitman Development Corp. and Emory Economic Development Corporation.

The $6,500 total investment by the entities is to support an episode of Fishing University to be aired 40 times on the Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network in 2020.

Ray Frazier and Charlie Ingram are the hosts of the show. The agreement calls for providing seven hotel rooms for a minimum of three nights for staff and crew during filming. There also will be an arrangement for Fishing University to present a one-hour program at a local high school, arrange for two camera boat drivers (Fishing University will pay them personally for gas), arrange for two speakers to join them for the high school program, and pick out one tourism highlight of each of your four areas to film for the show.

In another matter, board members discussed changing the meeting time and place to further accommodate the public who would like to attend the meetings.

Chairman Keenan also set up several committees. He is set to meet with chairs of each committee to discuss their role and who will comprise those committees. Berry added, “These committees will not be made up of just the board members, but from citizens across the county.”

The next meeting will be March 5 at a time and place to be announced.