Visitor’s Bureau board of directors unanimously select candidate
Jane Howard
Gilroy – Jane Howard, a civic leader with deep roots in the local business and political community, has been anointed the Garlic Capital’s permanent tourism chief.
The Gilroy Visitor’s Bureau board of directors tapped Howard in January to serve as interim head so it could buy time to hunt extensively for a permanent director.
At the end of a five-month process, the board unanimously selected Howard as the top applicant out of a final pool of four candidates. They informed Howard of the decision Thursday night.
“Her background helped her a lot – knowing the area, knowing Gilroy. She’s been in many different (local) positions,” said board president Majid Bahriny. “We unanimously felt comfortable that she was the best person for the job.”
Howard, 53, replaces former director Kirstin Carr, who left the position in October for a job with the San Jose State University Foundation.
Howard spent the first half of 2005 as interim head of the Gilroy Economic Development Corporation. She was among the final round of candidates for EDC director, but the position ultimately went to Larry Cope, an economic development director from Kansas.
In addition to her EDC experience, Howard has served on the Santa Clara County civil grand jury and as the president of Leadership Gilroy Foundation. She currently serves as vice president of the Gilroy Rotary Club, trustee for the Santa Clara County Office of Education, and chairman of the government relations committee for the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce.
As the permanent tourism chief, Howard will steer the city agency toward a more regional marketing approach, working with the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce to give top billing to the area’s shopping centers, wineries and other attractions. The City of Morgan Hill plans to contribute $35,000 toward such cross-promotional efforts.
Howard takes over as Gilroy officials prepare to restore funding for the agency after several years of cost cutting. The city plans to raise the agency’s funding from $152,000 to $160,500 in the next year, but Howard hopes to convince councilmen to raise the bar to the former level of $168,000.
Her current salary is $55,000 as interim head. Bahriny said they would negotiate a permanent salary in coming days.
In the meantime, Howard said she has plenty to keep her busy. On Monday, she will present the agency’s annual report to council. In the long term, the agency plans to beef up its Web site to better promote local wineries.
Howard predicted that her experience working with City Hall and local organizations would smooth the way in her efforts to promote the city and region.
“Knowing all those folks is great,” she said. “This is like a formalization of the working relationship we’ve already developed.”
