Search begins for new Civic Center director

LIMA - The board of the Veterans Memorial Civic Center is looking local in its search for a new director.

The board met Wednesday to discuss details of the search for a leader to replace former director Brian Keegan, who resigned last week. In the end, they decided to begin the search close to home.

"In my mind we want to get the best possible person we can get in here, but I believe we have the talent right here in the area," said board member Jerry Lewis.

The group agreed to contract with Spherion employment services to conduct the search. If the right person can't be found locally, it will widen the search. The search is expected to cost about $5,000, according to board President Don Reese.

Because the Civic Center is a veterans memorial building, veterans get first priority, Reese said. The board has drafted a list of other criteria for the search, including management and human resources experience and the ability and willingness to be an active representative of the center throughout the community. Keegan has been a member of numerous local nonprofits and a familiar face on local television.

The group did not set a deadline for hiring a new director, but asked Spherion to begin the process immediately.

Keegan turned in his resignation to board members last week after 16 years as head of the center. Keegan said he was leaving the post to pursue other interests.

Former WLIO news director and longtime Civic Center volunteer George Dunster has agreed to serve as interim director while board members search for a permanent replacement.