by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
The JEDC is scheduled to have a replacement by May 1 for outgoing Executive Director Kirk Wendland. But some of the hires for the open rank-and-file positions may not have to wait that long.
Jacksonville Economic Development Commission Chairman Ceree Harden said he’s been getting “a lot of interest” in replacing Wendland.
“I’ve been getting resumes solicited and unsolicited,” said Harden. “Coming off all the attention the City received from the Super Bowl, I’m anticipating there will be a lot of applicants.”
Harden is leading a committee to find the new executive director. He said the committee will begin evaluating applicants in mid-March. Following that, he will forward three finalists for the position to Mayor John Peyton who will have the final say.
Harden’s schedule designates May 1 as decision day but he said the deadline wasn’t as important as finding the right person for the job.
While the commission waits for its new head, the day- to-day operations are under control of Deputy Director Jeanne Miller. She’ll essentially become the interim executive director once Wendland leaves office Feb. 25.
Part of the daily grind is hiring for 31 open positions at the JEDC. The jobs were opened up when Mayor John Peyton ordered an overhaul of the commission last year. Most of the positions are filled currently by holdovers from the old staff, many of whom have interviewed to keep their jobs.
Hires were supposed to be made by October 1, 2004, but the decisions have lagged. Some of the jobs are waiting for new incentive policies to be completed. Wendland’s surprise resignation also complicated the process.
There was speculation about whether all the hires would wait until the new leadership was in place. But Harden said Thursday that certain positions may have to be filled before the new executive director arrives.
“A lot can happen in the next 60 to 90 days, and we’re not just going to stand still,” said Harden. “We’ve got to have people in place to make decisions and respond to the challenges and opportunities we face.”