Finalists to be interviewed for position as director of Old Town Cape organization

The Old Town Cape board of directors interviewed the first of several finalists for the newly open position of director Thursday.

Jeff Jernigan, a real estate agent with Meyer Realty, said the position is one he would love to tackle. "I'm looking for something I can be very passionate about," he said. "I'm looking for something I can do to make a difference, and I hope this is it."

Jernigan, who moved to Cape Girardeau with his wife Nancy 10 years ago, said he has always felt the pull of downtown. "Right away when I came here, I appreciated the older areas of town," he said. "I liked it because it wasn't all concrete and chrome and glass. These were the historic buildings that make Cape unique."

Jernigan believes his outgoing nature is his best asset in applying for the position. "I've been in Cape long enough to have met a lot of people, so I'm confident as far as approaching people and fund-raising," he said. "I think the first thing I would do if I were hired would be to make a list of people I want to sit down with and talk about ideas."

Southeast Missouri State University professor Steve Hoffman has headed the search committee since director Tim Arbeiter announced in February he would leave to join the chamber of commerce.

Hoffman said there are no criteria etched in stone for the position. "We can teach the content and the knowledge for this position," he said.

What candidates need to bring "is the ability to transform something from a hope to a reality," Hoffman said. "Different people are going to have different skill sets when it comes to economics, design and historic preservation. That's great and that's helpful, but what we're looking for is someone who can bring people together."

The interview for candidates is a long process. It includes a tour of downtown, meetings with key Old Town stakeholders, meetings with members of city staff, meetings with the CVB, chamber of commerce, a dinner and then a public meeting at night. All this comes before the candidate even gets to the formal interview, which happens the following morning.

Jernigan has been active in the community helping to organize the annual Libertyfest celebration and Soap Box Derby. He is also a member of the Rotary Club.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245