ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997 TAG: 9701240060
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: RADFORD
SOURCE: MARK CLOTHIER STAFF WRITER
The city announced the hiring Thursday of its new director of economic development, Karen Gilbert.
Gilbert, the wife of Stuart Gilbert, the recently hired executive director of the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance, has 14 years experience in local government.
Before moving to Blacksburg in August, she managed solid waste and wastewater programs for the South Central Tennessee Development District, an agency formed to promote economic development and improved government services for a 13-county area.
The couple's careers have overlapped previously.
Before coming to the New River Valley, Stuart Gilbert was an economic development director for one of South Central Tennessee Development District's 13 counties, Maury.
Karen Gilbert said their parallel careers have never posed a problem. Her predecessor, Jill Barr, said she worked closely with Stuart Gilbert's New River Valley Economic Development Alliance.
"We plan to work together as professionals and help each other as much as any other would," Karen Gilbert said. "I look forward to working with the New River Valley Alliance as much as I do the nine or 10 other assistance organizations I'll be working with."
Gilbert, 37, steps into a job vacated by Barr Nov. 15. Barr accepted a similar job in Caroline County, south of Fredericksburg.
Gilbert was one of three finalists interviewed. She starts the $29,005 job Feb. 3.
The position has two main functions: keeping and promoting the expansion of existing Radford business and industry and attracting new enterprises.
Gilbert earned a master's degree in public administration from Southern Illinois University. She has an undergraduate degree in business administration. Gilbert also was an assistant city manager of two Illinois cities, Wood River and Geneva.
LENGTH: Short : 44 linesby CNB