It was the financial guy versus the cheerleader and the cheerleader won at the Oxford Downtown Development Authority meeting Monday night.
By a vote of 5-2, the DDA hired Madonna Van Fossen as its new executive director for an annual salary of $49,900 plus benefits.
‘I thoroughly enjoy what I’ve been doing and I think the time that I’ve spent at this job demonstrates that,? she said.
Van Fossen’s been working as the DDA’s interim director since late July. Although the board originally agreed to pay her for 25 hours a week, she told officials she’s put in anywhere from 40-60 hours on a weekly basis.
‘I think she’s very charismatic. She seems to work well with people,? said DDA Member Chuck Schneider, who appeared to be Van Fossen’s biggest fan. ‘I love the way she presents herself. She’s very professional.?
Van Fossen touted her organizing of Saturday’s Scarecrow Festival as a big feather in her cap.
‘It was a huge success, much more than anybody anticipated,? she said.
Judging by the feedback VanFossen said she received from vendors and visitors, the event was ‘the biggest and the best it’s been.?
‘As we’ve seen Madonna can deliver,? said village Manager Joe Young. ‘She’s very easy to work with and talk with. The important thing to me is that she asks questions. If she doesn’t understand something, she’ll ask you. She’ll let you help her.?
Some officials expressed concern about her lack of a financial background, an area which the other finalist for the job, Kevin Centala, of Sterling Heights, was very strong in.
But to Schneider, a ‘crackerjack financial guy? is not what the DDA needs. He said the board has enough people with financial expertise or who are ‘big thinkers? about things like future development.
‘We don’t have a cheerleader and that’s what we need right now,? Schneider said. ‘We need someone that’s going to get out there and get everybody enthusiastic.?
The ability to generate enthusiasm is what’s going to keep existing downtown tenants and fill vacant storefronts in this troubled economy, according to Schneider.
‘That’s a Madonna kind of job because she is going to generate this enthusiasm that we need to make that happen.?
When it comes to things like finances or any other areas Van Fossen’s deficient in, Schneider was confident she can be taught.
‘We have someone who’s very trainable,? he said, noting the finance-related demands on a DDA director are ‘not brain surgery.?
‘This is not something that’s that complicated, that someone who’s exposed to it for a while isn’t going to pick up. Look at some of our prior directors. If they can handle it, she certainly can.?
Some officials noted the ‘people skills? Van Fossen possesses cannot be taught.
Speaking for the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, Director Holly Bills said the relationship between her and Van Fossen has been ‘very positive.?
‘A lot of the things, the forward direction that we have with the DDA has been because of Madonna,? she said, noting Van Fossen is ‘very approachable? and business owners have felt that.
Village President Chris Bishop, who voted against hiring Van Fossen, expressed his reservations over her past job history.
‘The only thing that really concerns me is she’s had six jobs in six years,? he said.
Van Fossen, a 23-year Lake Orion resident, assured the DDA board that she has ‘no plans to leave? because this area is her home and she loves her job.