PORT AUTHORITY HIRES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SCOTT CITY - Daniel L. Overbey, who has a varied career in promoting economic development, marketing, and finance, was named Wednesday as the executive director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority.

For the last four years Overbey has been a real-estate representative with Drury Development Corp. Prior to that he was director of corporate development for Sam Tanksley Trucking Co. in Cape Girardeau.

In making the announcement at a press conference, Port Authority Board Chairman Mysie Keene praised Overbey's credentials to lead the port on a path of continued growth.

"Dan Overbey has a broad background in management, marketing and finance," she said. "He has a record of being very conscientious and hard working."

Overbey was named to replace Allan Maki, who resigned March 8 after serving as executive director for four-and-a-half years. Overbey's first day on the job was Wednesday.

Making the decision to leave Drury Development was not an easy one, Overbey said, because it is a strong company that offered him opportunity. "But the opportunity to work with the port authority is something I just could not resist," he said.

"I am particularly pleased to serve my two home counties," said Overbey, a native of Sikeston who now resides in Cape Girardeau. His wife, Dr. Gail Overbey, a clinical psychologist who teaches at Southeast Missouri State University, is a native of Benton.

Overbey said he recognizes that citizens of Cape Girardeau and Scott counties have made a significant investment in the port and are looking for results through new jobs in the area.

He also pointed out there are a variety of projects under way at the port, including construction of a railroad spur and extension of Nash Road into the port.

"Moving ahead on so many projects like this is not easy, and requires a major, cooperative effort," said Overbey.

Keene praised the port's tenants whose representatives attended the press conference and said without tenants "our port wouldn't be worth anything."

Since Maki's resignation, Keene said, the board has continued to make progress at the port. She said progress is not slowing.

Keene also announced the hiring of Leslie A. Simmons of Scott City to serve as Overbey's administrative assistant. Simmons will focus her efforts on accounting, research and detail work, Keene said.

Simmons will take the final two parts of her CPA exam in May.

U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond also attended the press conference briefly. He reiterated his longtime support for the port. He said people like former Sen. John Dennis, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce President Bob Hendrix and Cape County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep have often told him of the value of the port and its positive impact on the area.

"I am very pleased to see the progress you are making here," said Bond.

During his tenure with Drury Development, Overbey helped create plans and manage development projects like the Wal-Mart Supercenter, Sam's Club, Lowe's Home Center, Bluff City Beer, the Postal Service Center, El Chico's, and Cape West Business Park.

He also served as a senior market analyst for the Frisco Railroad, as a senior economist for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and as director of marketing and planing and assistant to the president of Burlington Northern Motor Carriers.

He is a 1974 graduate of Southeast Missouri State, where he earned a degree in management and graduated summa cum laude. He earned a master of business administration degree from the University of Texas in Austin in 1976.

Overbey and his wife have two sons: Jeffrey, 10, and Douglas, 6.