Killington interviews final four for director post
Toolbox
By Cristina Kumka Staff Writer - Published: December 5, 2009
The search for a director to plan, market and manage a revitalized town economy in Killington is moving swiftly, Town Manager Kathleen Ramsay said this week.
The last four candidates for the town's economic development director are expected to be interviewed in closed session by a seven-member committee of town officials and economic development commission members by Monday, which Ramsay said is down from a total pool of 35 applicants.
The town's three selectmen, Ramsay, former Select Board Chairman Norman Holcomb, Jeanne Karlhuber, the chairwoman of the Economic Development and Tourism Commission and commission member Tom White are vetting the remaining candidates.
Former Economic Development Director Carl Spangler resigned from the post in August after being chosen out of a pool of 75 applicants.
Before taking the town job, Spangler was a top executive who worked at Killington Resort as a planner and developer for more than a decade and through two of its owners.
According to the job description, the director "is responsible for planning, marketing, organizing, management and directing of the economic development, events and tourism activities, plans, programs and services for the town," in accordance with policies of the tourism commission, Ramsay and the Select Board.
A bachelor's degree and five years experience in tourism and economic development is required, according to the description. The director also manages the budget, approved annually by the Killington Select Board.
The top administrative post has been vacant since Spangler's resignation, with the department being run by Events Producer Dariece Kirby-Kline and Ramsay, and department spending being managed by the six-member commission.
Ramsay and Killington Select Board Chairman Jim Blackman both said they are happy with the qualifications of the applicants.
When the town initially sought a director for the newly formed department last year, the candidates largely didn't understand what the town was looking for, Blackman said.
"Their idea of economic development was like the Downtown Rutland Partnership … subsidize rent for light manufacturing and office," Blackman said.
"This time, many more at least understood that this is tourism-based economy," he said.
"What we want are people who are going to help us create new ways, ideas, and venues to create reasons for people to become tourists and visit our town," he said.
Ramsay said all the remaining applicants are from the Northeast and their professional experiences range from municipal and business backgrounds to nonprofit and tourism.
The target date for hiring is the end of this month and the start date is mid- to late-January, Ramsay said.
The salary range is $55,000 to $75,000 a year and a contract length hadn't been determined as of this week.
cristina.kumka@rutlandherald.com
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