A new executive director has been named to the Old Town Cape, Inc staff.
Elizabeth Robertson Haynes was chosen by the organization's board of directors last week, and will assume her new role on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Board president Danny Essner says when considering candidates, the board was interested in finding someone who had been originally from Cape Girardeau but left the area.
He says Haynes graduated from Southeast after attending Cape Central, and has been away from the region for about 13 years.
“She decided she wanted to come back, and had been looking for an opportunity in Cape. Her experience and background is just a really good fit for what she’s going to be doing at Old Town Cape,” says Essner.
According to a press release by the organization, Haynes is a “seasoned non-profit professional” after spending more than 13 years working on community relations, fundraising, and event planning. She will now be working on economic development centered around historic preservation, advising tenants and property owners with improvement projects, and helping to build strong relationships and a “cooperative climate” in the downtown region.
“She has kind of a unique love of Cape, particularly downtown Cape because she grew up in downtown Cape,” Essner says. “She grew up riding her bike to downtown Cape, playing in the fountain at the courthouse park.”
Departing executive director Marla Mills has stayed with the organization during their search for her replacement. A June press release stated she will be leaving the role at the end of summer.
“[Haynes] wants to keep the momentum going and build on what Marla’s accomplished,” says Essner.