ODESSA, Texas — Odessa Development Corporation has been in a state of flux recently.
In July, Kris Crow was ousted from his position as president by the Odessa City Council. Jeff Russell, the then vice president of the ODC, soon followed.
At Tuesday's ODC meeting, the board made moves to replace their vacant officer spots, voting in James Kirk as their new president.
Also getting elected as officers were Melanie Hollmann as vice president and David Boutin as assistant secretary.
All three currently serve on the ODC board and each were equally surprised when they were elected to their new positions.
“I was appointed early last little year ago, not quite two years ago and it's been an interesting walk seeing how the sales tax dollars goes toward benefiting the community, on helping businesses around coming in,” Kirk said.
Not only have all three put in work on the ODC for the city's present, but also its future.
“One of the reasons that I care about economic development is I have a young son," Hellmann said. "I hope that when he's an adult, there are lots of opportunities here for him to make his life here in Odessa when he's grown and has a family.”
There may be some growing pains as, while Kirk is confident in himself when it comes to speaking with the Odessa City Council, he admits it's not something he has much experience with.
“I’m looking forward to it," Kirk said regarding working with city council. "I’ll be having meetings to where we are on each project and that’s something I haven’t done yet, so I’m looking forward to getting to communicate with them and have good communication in every way we have.”
While there has been some turnover within the ODC and some clashing with the city council in the past, all of the new officers are hoping to focus on one goal: Working together to improve the city of Odessa.
“I like to focus on sticking with the mission of the entity, and just continuing the work of economic development," Hellmann said.