Stafford EDC narrows economic development director search; panel recommends single candidate, council to interview

The Stafford Economic Development Corporation on May 27 reported that an interview panel has recommended one finalist for the city’s vacant economic development director position but is asking the council whether to hire the person as a full-time employee or bring them in first under a personal services contract.

The panel, which the transcript identifies as including Carl Young (public works director), SEDC President Andy Kron and Vice President Damon Leonetti and an outside subject-matter reviewer, said it received 107 applications, interviewed four candidates and — after one withdrawal on the day of interviews — selected a single candidate for advancement. The panel recommended a second, shorter interview involving a subset of council and SEDC members before any final hiring step.

Why it matters: the director’s role has been vacant for months. Panel members said the city needs a candidate who can "hit the ground running" on redevelopment and business recruitment. The body discussed whether to proceed with a traditional hiring process or to engage the finalist on a limited-term personal services contract so the city can evaluate performance before converting to a full-time city employee.

Panel findings and next steps

The interview team…