CAPE NAMES CVB DIRECTOR; 30 PEOPLE APPLIED FOR POSITION

The new director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau will take office July 20.

Terri Clark-Bauer, 46, of Nashville, Tenn., has been named CVB director. She replaces Mary Miller, who resigned in March.

City manager Mike Miller announced Clark-Bauer's hiring in a press conference Thursday afternoon at City Hall.

Clark-Bauer said she hopes to build on Cape Girardeau's existing tourism foundation.

She said: "Cape has a very strong image in the tourism industry already. I think taking the foundation that has already been laid and starting to develop programs will develop and build that foundation."

Clark-Bauer said she has "only been impressed by the potential for growth in the bureau and the community." She said she is "extremely impressed" with the community's interest in further development of its tourism industry.

Tourism is a fast-growing industry, Clark-Bauer said, "and I think we'll be a leader in establishing all sorts of economic development in the area. The people are a huge resource, and I've really been pleased with what I've seen in that direction."

She has more than 12 years of experience in tourism and CVB operations. She previously served as general manager of the Danville, Ill., CVB and president of the Greater Alton (Ill.) Twin Rivers CVB.

Clark-Bauer now works at Gray Lines Tours in Nashville. She is a native of Evanston, Ind.

"We're looking forward to working with her, and we're looking forward to her appointment," Miller said.

Gary Bunting, chairman of the CVB advisory board, said he was especially impressed by her "experience operating and living in river towns. She ought to be a good asset to the city of Cape Girardeau and tourism at large."

The CVB has had to put some projects on hold while the search for a director was on, Bunting said. Now it is time to get back to work, he said.

"We're looking forward to really cranking up and getting the wheels rolling here," he said.

Clark-Bauer's salary will be $40,000 annually.

Miller said Clark-Bauer was chosen after "a rigorous search process" that included involvement by a team of city staff, department heads, the City Council, CVB employees and the CVB advisory board. Clark-Bauer was one of about 30 applicants.

She and her husband, James, a native of Ste. Genevieve, have two daughters.