Tracy Howell, a longtime Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District employee, will succeed Curtis Stueve as the leader of the emergency-response agency.
Stueve, 63, who has been with the district for 44 years, plans to retire in 2022.
He has the title of administrator. When Howell assumes the job, she likely will receive a different title, Stueve said.
“The (JPAD Board of Directors) probably will change the title to chief,” Stueve said. “Most other ambulance districts have chiefs.”
Howell’s current annual salary is $60,000. Her salary as assistant administrator has not been set yet, Stueve said Monday.
“That’s a new position for us,” he said. “That should be resolved next week.”
Stueve is paid $115,000 a year.
He said Howell, who has worked for JPAD for 21 years and currently serves as its office manager, stood out among the applicants.
“We interviewed five candidates internally,” Stueve said. “On Oct. 13, the board voted unanimously to promote Tracy to assistant administrator effective Nov. 1.”
He said Howell will spend the next several months learning the job’s duties.
Howell, 55, started as a paramedic with JPAD before moving into administrative work.
“She’s basically run the office, so she’s well versed on the financial aspects of the district,” Stueve said. “She’s going to step in and do a great job. And, she’s got the full support of her coworkers as well.”
Howell said she looks forward to learning the job and eventually becoming the JPAD chief.
“Because I’ve worked closely with Curt for 20 years, I feel I can keep the district on track,” she said. “I think there has been great progress in the district under Curt’s leadership. I just hope to continue the progress.”
JPAD covers southeastern Jefferson County and about 63,000 residents. It has six ambulance houses, five of which are staffed. Of its 42 full-time employees, 40 are paramedics.
Howell and her husband, Ernest, live in French Village and have two children.
Stueve of Festus says his last day on the job will be at the end of June.
“I won’t officially retire until Dec. 31, 2022,” he said. “June 30 will be my last day in the office and then I’ll use vacation time and comp time. During my last six months, I’ll be available for consulting.”