Topel To Return To FHREDI On Interim Basis

Lynn Topel is going to be coming back to lead the region's economic development efforts - on an interim basis.

The board of directors of Florida's Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative voted Monday to hire Topel for six months or less during a special meeting at the Bert J. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center in Sebring.

Topel retired as FHREDI's executive director last year. She was replaced by Jim Otterman, who recently announced that he is leaving the organization on March 31. Otterman will have been on the job nine months when he departs.

Topel's contract will run from March 15 through Sept. 15 of this year. However, Topel, who attended Monday's meeting, said she has no problem breaking the contract before the end of the six months if a permanent replacement is found during that time.

Topel said she was here because she was contacted and asked to help out. Board chairman Butch Jones said he contacted Topel.

"Lynn has worked for us before and has the experience," Jones said.

The board also agreed to form a search committee to find a replacement for Otterman. The committee will include the chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer. Topel will serve in an advisory capacity.

Roger Hood, who is the board secretary and the president/CEO of Heartland Workforce, offered the services of his staff to help with the search. His staff screened applications for the Highlands County Industrial Development Authority/Economic Development Commission when it hired a new executive director a couple of months ago.