Harbor Center board set to begin director interviews

The resumes are in, and now begins the selection process in the search for a new permanent general manager at the Northshore Harbor Center in Slidell.

The position has been vacant since former General Manager Kerry Painter stepped down in April to take the helm at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre in Canada. Kathy Lowrey, who served as the Sales and Marketing manager under Painter, has acted as the interim general manager since Painter’s departure.

The Harbor Center board, led by chairman Kurt Bozant, immediately began a nationwide recruiting process. Nearly two dozen resumes were received from all over the country.

“The majority of the responses have come from the Southeast, but we’ve also had responses from other places, like Pennsylvania and Michigan,” said Bozant.

Bozant said while a few applicants are overqualified, there are some who are underqualified as well.

The board will now begin interviewing qualified applicants and plans to announce its decision at the next board meeting on Aug. 12.

“They’re making progress,” said Lowrey. “It’s taken a long time, but it’s good that the board is following its due diligence to find a suitable candidate.”

Lowrey herself could permanently assume the role.

Having been with the facility since it opened its doors in 2005, she is more than familiar with its history and mission. The board has not reached a decision yet, however, on whether it will also hire a private management firm to oversee daily operations.

The Aug. 12 meeting will also serve as a public forum on a proposed millage increase for the Harbor Center tax district.