Old Town Cape picks new director from United Way

~ Marla Mills did not apply for the position but was intrigued when approached by board members.

After a longer than expected search, Old Town Cape has found a new executive director.

Marla Mills, 47, the assistant director of the United Way of Southeast Missouri, will take over the job beginning Sept. 18.

"She is exactly what we've been looking for. I'd say she's the total package of professionalism combined with a depth of experience that includes working with volunteers, fund-raising and working with a board of directors," said Old Town Cape president Dr. Steven Hoffman. "She has all the special skill sets we were looking for."

Old Town Cape has an annual operating budget of $155,000 and organizes several events, including Tunes at Twilight, Libertyfest and the Holiday of Lights parade. Last year, the organization tallied 2,350 hours of volunteer time.

The organization seeks to foster revitalization in Cape Girardeau's 130-block historic district. Among other things, the director is charged with facilitating grants and bringing public and private investment to the area.

Mills grew up on a farm near Oran, Mo., and moved to Cape Girardeau four years ago with husband Terry, who is a sergeant with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The couple have one daughter, Tara, 23, who is a student at Southeast Missouri State University.

Mills worked for 13 years in Jefferson City as director of administrative services for the Missouri State Troopers Association. She has signed a one-year contract with Old Town Cape but indicated she would like to stay longer.

Mills did not apply for the director position but was intrigued by the job when approached by board members.

"I really wasn't thinking about leaving" the United Way, Mills said. "I was doing something I really liked, but when they came to me, I decided to think about it. The downtown area has always been an interest of mine; I think it's what makes Cape unique. So the job piqued my interest."

Former director Tim Arbeiter left Old Town Cape at the end of April to become vice president of community development for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. The Old Town Cape board of directors interviewed a handful of candidates for Arbeiter's job before making an offer to Taryn Meredith, a Girl Scout leader from Paducah, Ky. Meredith accepted the job but after two weeks of consideration decided to stay put.

Hoffman said the about-face forced board members to start the search process from scratch in April. Board members were encouraged to recruit people who hadn't thought to apply. Hoffman said the process was longer than anyone hoped it would be, but "the proof is in the pudding because we ended up with the best candidate."

Mills has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Lincoln University in Jefferson City.

She said her first priority will be to use her experience to help implement ideas of OTC board members. "They are the ones who live, work and have invested the most in downtown, so what I hope to do is to move their visions and their ideas forward," Mills said. "As far as instigating my own ideas, I think the more I learn the more I'll become part of that process."

Hoffman said Mills' strength in turning ideas into reality is more important than ever before.

"We have probably the most solid board we've ever had here, and I think she'll be able to unlock their full potential," Hoffman said. "These people all have full-time jobs. They are committed to Old Town Cape, but they also have other stuff going on. So to have a director who can make it easier for them to follow through on their individual projects is something that will take us to the next level."

United Way director Nancy Jernigan said Mills is prepared to guide Old Town Cape into the future. "She's an excellent communicator, extremely personable, has a lot of strong office skills, but she also cares a lot and has a good heart and soul. We're sorry to see her go," she said.

Heather Haynes worked part time to fill the Old Town Cape director's role during much of the leadership vacancy. She will step down, but Hoffman said he has encouraged her to stay affiliated with Old Town Cape as much as her schedule allows.

tgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245