JOINS MALL STAFF

Maggie Friend of Cape Girardeau has joined the staff of West Park Mall as assistant manager, marketing. She started with May Centers Inc. Monday.

Friend is coordinating promotional events, marketing and advertising for the mall. "I am now in the process of meeting the mall merchants," she said. "I am working on two upcoming events - Law Enforcement Day and Building Blocks for Better Health and Safety."

Friend has 20 years' experience in retail, advertising and promotion. Since 1985 she worked in the public relations department of Southeast Missouri Hospital as advertising and promotion coordinator. Prior to that Friend worked in advertising sales and promotion in Joplin, and served as director of the Downtown Joplin Association one year.

The North Carolina native lives in Cape Girardeau. She and her husband, Charlie, have an 8-year-old son, Champ.

West Park Mall currently has 81 retail stores, including three anchors.