Officials with the city of Festus and its Tourism Commission have named Barb Lowry recreation and tourism director – a new full-time position.
She will begin the new job after the start of the new year.
Lowry has been a full-time employee of the city for seven years, first working as a utilities clerk, and for the past five years working most of the time as a utilities clerk and the rest of the time as a sports and marketing director.
She currently is paid $16.76 an hour, with the city covering $15.76 per hour and the Tourism Commission paying the other $1 per hour.
When Lowry switches to full-time recreation and tourism director, her salary will increase to $21 per hour, and the city of Festus and the Festus Tourism Commission will each cover half of the cost of her salary and benefits.
The city is accepting applications through Dec. 29 to fill the utilities clerk position, and the pay for that job will be $14.59 per hour, Lowry said.
Lowry was selected from 30 applicants for the job, City Administrator Greg Camp said.
“We ended up trimming the list to eight for interviews,” he said. “At the end of the day, her familiarity with the position and what (the Tourism Commission) wants to do were certainly positives she possesses. Now that she’ll be able to devote all of her energy full-time (to the new job), we feel she’ll be the right person for the position.”
As recreation and tourism director, Lowry will be responsible for coordinating and promoting events and programs sponsored by the city and the Tourism Commission, Camp said.
“Obviously, the director will need a unified message – in print, electronic, radio, social media,” he said. “Having someone working around the clock promoting Festus, that is job one from the get-go.”
While the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation of many events over the past year, Lowry will be expected to begin organizing programs and events for when it is safe to hold them again, Camp said.
“When things start opening up – and they will – we will have someone in place to be our pied piper,” he said.
Staci Templeton, chairwoman of the five-member Tourism Commission, said she is a Lowry fan.
“I think she’s a wonderful fit for the position,” Templeton said. “I’m very excited to see what wonderful things she brings with her.”
As part of her new duties, Lowry said she intends to shepherd new parks programs.
“Obviously, we want to continue with the events we typically schedule, like WinterFest,” she said. “We also hope to begin some programs, like an exercise program or a walking program that will be ongoing.”
Lowry said she appreciates the city and commission choosing her for the new job.
“I have enjoyed what I’ve been doing (for tourism) on a part-time basis,” Lowry said. “I’m looking forward to doing it on a full-time basis so I can concentrate on the job. I am very excited about the new position and am ready to get to work.”
Camp said he is confident in Lowry’s abilities.
“I’ve gotten to know Barb over the last three years, and I think she’s going to do a great job,” he said.
Lowry, 50, of Hillsboro, has one daughter, Becca Vonder Haar, 23.