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DDC to interview five finalists for economic development director; board focuses on ownership and strategic alignment
Summary
Following the January retreat the board scheduled interviews the week of the 16th for a new economic development director; leadership emphasized clear ownership of development initiatives and coordinated onboarding with the city manager and council liaisons.
The DDC chair told the board on Feb. 12 that the board and the city manager’s office will move quickly to interview and onboard a new economic development director following the January retreat. The chair said five candidates had taken a close look at the opportunity and that management analysis and director interviews were scheduled for the week of the 16th.
Board members and Councilman Byrd, the city council liaison, emphasized the need to identify who will "own" development projects and to provide clear accountability and handoffs. Byrd said identifying ownership is critical to see projects through and recommended that board members and the incoming director attend industry conferences to better position DeSoto for prospects. "Who owns it?" Byrd asked during his remarks, pressing for clarity on which body or staff will be accountable for implementation.
The chair said the board will receive a one‑page framing document prepared by TIP strategies and that the city manager’s office will arrange an onboarding briefing with the DDC chair and key stakeholders. Board members asked about broader strategic focus — including I‑35 quarter opportunities and health/medical industry prospects — and urged that momentum from retreat discussions be preserved so the new director can step into clearly defined priorities.
The board did not take a hiring vote at the meeting; interviews and follow‑up onboarding were identified as the next procedural steps.
