Photo: Amy Walters, TRAC Jamestown
JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Jamestown Parks & Recreation Board moved to hire Amy Walters Monday, November 8th.
A search committee was put together with different representatives of the community including: Mindi Schmitz, Parks & Rec Commission Chair; Sarah Hellekson; City of Jamestown, Rob Lech, Jamestown School District; Jim Speidel, Jamestown Park and Recreation; and Searle Swedlund, Jamestown Tourism.
Lech informed the commission that the committee members have been committed to the process to ensure the best candidates for Jamestown Parks & Recreation were interviewed and the best of those candidates were recommended for the Executive Director position.
After completing an updated job description and salary range as well as what they were seeking, Lech says they had 14 individuals who had expressed interest.
From there, the committee narrowed the group to four finalists including LeRoy “Junior” Kautz, Amy Walters, Dennis Nybo, and Chad Mannie. Following community meet and greets November 2nd and 3rd, the committee developed a ranking system to assist in the recommendation process that included qualifications, experience, and interview along with additional consideration.
Parks & Rec Commission Chair Mindi Schmitz read the final recommendation of Amy Walters to the commission following Lech’s report.
Before the vote, Parks & Rec Commissioner Mike Soulis thanked the search committee for their work and commented on the local leadership.
The commission voted 4 to 1 in favor of hiring Amy Walters with commissioner Mark Ukestad casting the only dissenting vote. Walters is expected to assume the Executive Director position December 1st.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the community of Jamestown as the next Executive Director of Jamestown Parks and Recreation,” Walters told NewsDakota.
The board will address her vacancy at the Two Rivers Activity Center in December.