Dottie Ford, left, and Pansy Bell, clasp their hands in support of their being named to dual management
positions at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, on Thursday morning.  In the background is a
photo of the new Equine Pavillion that will be available for booking in July of 2006.

New Management At
Hopkins County Civic Center
Announced Thursday

by: Bobby McDonald

 

In a 9:30 a.m., Thursday, announcement at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, County Judge Cletis Millsap and Judy Tipping Chairman of the Selection Committe made a formal introduction of the two individuals that will be serving as dual managers of the facility. "We had a large number of applicants and the committee has worked tirelessly to bring us to this announcement," explained Millsap. "We feel we have selected the two individuals who can make this facility one of the top facilities in the state and each of them bring their own level of expertise to the management team!"

Then, Millsap and Tipping introduced Dottie Ford, as Operations & Business Manager, and Pansy Bell, as Marketing & Promotion Manager. Their positions will begin on Monday, May 8th.

Ford brings years of experience in banking and property management to her position and will be responsible for leading the financial aspects of the center, working closely with the other members of the team. And, Bell, noted her longtime community involvement in Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and Pilot Club, as well as her background in 20 years of advertising in this community, as assets to her new position.

"I'm excited about the new challenge of marketing our Regional Civic Center and Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County," expressed Bell. "We've got a great place to visit and I'm going to try to tell everyone else about coming her for a night, weekend, or a lifetime!"

"Having been on staff at the Civic Center for the past four years, I know what a wonderful facility we have and the many aspects of bringing current and new venues to this outstanding complex," stated Ford.

Judge Cletis Millsap and Judy Tipping, Chairman of the Selection Committe, center, made the
announcement of Dottie Ford and Pansy Bell as dual managers of the Hopkins County Regional
Civic Center, at a Thursday morning conference.

Both Ford and Bell excitedly announced that the new Equine Pavillion would be opening on schedule in July of 2006 and would offer an even greater opportunity to market equine and other events for the Civic Center facility. "I don't care if we're putting Boer Goats in those stalls, we have a facility that is great and adaptable to almost any event," commented Ford. "We can make this facility work for almost anything!"

"And, it's all about bringing folks to Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County and spending their tourism dollars, while they are here," inserted Bell. "When they come to the Civic Center, they buy gas at the convenience store; they stay in our motels; and they buy food at our restaurants. Everybody in the community benefits!"

Millsap and Tipping praised the work of former Board President, board member, and community volunteer, Jimmy Wayne Winfrey, who had given his service as the Interim Manager of the Civic Center, during the selection process.

"Friday's my last day and now I can go home and fix fence and bale hay," expressed Winfrey, who has a beef cattle operation in the Martin Springs Community. "I might be hard to find in the next few weeks!"

Winfrey, Tipping, and Millsap all praised the Civic Center Staff who continually work on a daily basis to make certain the facility is maintained, cleaned, and ready for the next event. "Curtis Buchanan and Gail Snow along with their devoted staff, continue to make this a wonderful place to host an event or plan a convention," stated Tipping. "And, we look forward to a wonderful experience with the new management in place to promote this facility!"

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