Interviews Set For EDC Executive Director

The pool of applicants has been pared for the executive director's job for the Highlands County Industrial Development Authority/Economic Development Commission, and interviews have been set up for the end of this month.

The board of directors received an update on the search to replace Louise England, who announced her resignation a couple of months ago, during its meeting Wednesday at the EDC office in Sebring.

A total of 30 applications were received for the position. The number of candidates has been reduced to seven.

The next step is that the seven candidates will be contacted by Joe DeCerbo, district manager for the Spring Lake Improvement District, who will be conducting the interviews.

DeCerbo will go over the job description, salary and benefits. The board wants the candidates to understand the salary range of $55,000 to $75,000 is not negotiable.

Four or five people will be interviewed, according to the board.

Interviews will be held at Oct. 29 at Highlands Independent Bank in Sebring. A small reception will be held at the bank following the interviews for board members and elected officials.

The search committee is scheduled to meet Oct. 31 and make a recommendation. It will be presented to the EDC board at the November meeting.

The board was told that tickets are available for the EDC's annual banquet and membership meeting. It will be held Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the Quality Inn Conference Center, 6525 U.S. 27 N., Sebring.

The 2008 Business Excellence Award recipient will be recognized.

Tickets are $35 per person. Reservations are required and the deadline to make them is

Oct. 16. Call 385-1025 for more information.

Jack Swersie will be the guest entertainer. A comedian who juggles, Swersie has appeared in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

The following companies and individuals have provided sponsorships for the banquet: Cross Country Automotive Services, Embarq, Glades Electric, MidFlorida Federal Credit Union, Progress Energy, Atlanticblue, Highlands Regional Medical Center, the News-Sun, Bohanon Distributors, Century 21 Advanced, C.M. Payne & Son, Florida Hospital Heartland Division, Clifford Rhoades Attorney at Law, Heacock Insurance Group, Heartland National Bank, Highlands Independent Bank, Highlands Today, Jahna Concrete, Riverside Bank, Wachovia Bank and Wauchula State Bank. Other special contributors are: Residence Inn Marriott, Ridge Florist and Sebring International Raceway.

The board also agreed to give $5,000 to the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo that will be held Jan. 22-25 at Sebring Regional Airport.