Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

Billy Hollowell Named McKenzie Parks Director

Posted

McKENZIE (September 30) — During Thursday’s meeting, the McKenzie City Council confirmed the hiring of Billy Hollowell as the McKenzie Parks and Recreation Director. Hollowell replaces Mike Beasley who stepped aside due to health issues.

In July, Mayor Jill Holland and the Council recommended the use of Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) to serve as consultants in the hiring process. Members of the Council, Parks and Recreation Board and multiple stakeholders were interviewed by MTAS Consultants to build the criteria for a director’s position.

Following the August 6 deadline, MTAS narrowed the candidates list down to five. Four candidates went through the assessment.

Included in the assessment center were the parks and recreation director from Jackson and Paris along with the Human Resources and Risk Management consultant for Public Entity Partners. The process included two MTAS consultants one is in charge of Human Resources for MTAS in West TN.

The candidates were scored in nine areas. Hollowell was the only candidate to excel in all nine areas.

After the candidates were scored, the council members were invited to arrange a time when each could come in and review the scores and resumes and make their recommendations.

Although Hollowell does not have a background in parks and recreation, he was highly recommended by the assessment board and the MTAS staff. October 12 is his official start date and will begin attending various conferences and working towards the necessary certifications.