IN NEW POSITION

JoAnn Sumner of St. Peters has been hired as executive director of the Perry County Industrial Development Authority.

Frank Kaufmann, president of the authority, announced the appointment this week, and said Sumner would start Monday.

The former director, Dianna Moore, announced her resignation earlier, and will leave the position next week.

"We had a number of excellent applications," Kaufmann said. "The board interviewed five persons."

Sumner, 47, is a native of Wainwright, near Jefferson City. She completed a bachelor degree in business administration at Athens State College in Athens, Ala., last year. Previously she was a research analyst with the Missouri Department of Economic Development in Jefferson City. While there she worked with prospective businesses, local economic development organizations, and other government entities. She was particularly interested in rural development while with the department.

Sumner is relocating to Perryville from St. Peters. She has two grown children who live in Columbia.