Sebring CRA picks Hinote as director
By Robin Hinote
Published: December 12, 2012
Updated: December 12, 2012 – 2:13 PM
SEBRING —
Robin Hinote gets to remove a word from her title.
Hinote, who was selected as the acting executive director after Pete Pollard retired in February, was given the permanent job on Monday.
“The CRA board is excited about Robin taking the position of executive director on a permanent basis,” said CRA board chair Kelly Cosgrave. “With 10 years experience in the CRA office, we are pleased to have someone with a tremendous amount of knowledge and dedication to Downtown Sebring lead us into the future.”
As Pollard’s executive assistant, Hinote oversaw the agency’s projects and its signature event, the Roaring Twenties Arts & Crafts Festival. She also worked in the utilities department for two years.
“The CRA has been doing some great things in Downtown Sebring with Robin taking the lead,” said Vice Chair Mark Gose. “The Downtown is taking on a new and exciting face, and the merchants are enthusiastically involved in the growth and direction we are heading.”
Community redevelopment agencies create a reinvestment environment that attracts private investors into established target areas, in this case Sebring’s downtown circle and spoke streets.
The CRA started its search when Pollard retired in February after 30 years on the job. In July, the search was put on hold when board members decided the agency should put out the word it is looking for a new leader at the annual Florida Redevelopment Association Conference in October.
Then-CRA Chair Kathy Malie said in July the search was a frustrating process. “I’m quite satisfied with the applicant we have sitting in the chair right now. I would be happy to entertain a motion at any time to retain that person, but I don’t know if the board is ready to do that or not.”
“I’ll go on record saying I’m 100 percent satisfied with the way Robin is doing her job,” Commissioner Gene Brenner said in July.
Gose wanted in July to give Hinote six months and examine the job she had done. Commissioner Kelly Cosgrave agreed.