(COLUMBIA, MO) ~ Columbia, MO - The City of Columbia is excited to announce that they will be hosting a meet and greet event for the final candidates for the city's Economic Development director position. The event will take place on January 31st from 5-7 p.m. at City Hall, located at 701 E. Broadway in conference room 1A/1B.

The purpose of the event is to give members of the public an opportunity to meet and speak with the finalists for this important position. Attendees are welcome to drop in anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. and light refreshments will be provided.

The two candidates vying for the position are Paul Eisenstein and Edward F. Hayes III. Eisenstein has been working at the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) since 2017, where he currently serves as the senior director of operations. He has also held positions as strategy and performance division director, as well as senior advisor and strategy and performance division deputy.

Prior to his work at DED, Eisenstein was a leadership search consultant at Y Scouts executive search firm in Phoenix, Arizona. He also has experience in various roles within the nonprofit sector in St. Louis and San Francisco, including The Mission Continues, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and AmeriCorps.

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Eisenstein's educational background includes a graduate certificate in public policy from the University of Missouri, an executive master of business administration degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and a bachelor of arts in urban affairs from Saint Louis University.

The other candidate, Edward F. Hayes III, brings a wealth of experience to the table as well. He previously worked at Memphis Light, Gas and Water as manager of economic and community development, at the Greater Memphis Chamber as an economic development existing business consultant and membership account executive.

Hayes also has experience in sales management at R.S Lewis & Sons Funeral Home and account management at First Guaranty Insurance Company. He also served as the executive director of New Chicago Community Development Corp.

Hayes holds a master of business administration degree from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, and a bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee.

The City of Columbia is confident that both candidates possess the necessary qualifications and experience to excel in this role. The public is encouraged to attend the meet and greet event and get to know these candidates better. The decision on who will be selected for the position will be announced at a later date.

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