City introduces new economic development director

The City of Durant is pleased to announce the recent hiring of new Economic Development Director Kathy Moore.

Moore, a north Texas native, joined the City of Durant earlier this year. Along with a successful career in public service, she possesses a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Texas, as well as a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Texas Woman’s University, with an emphasis in research and statistics.

Early in her career, Moore worked in administration at the University of North Texas. There she mastered consensus and partnership building and found a calling as a community cheerleader.

“The campus was growing from 25,000 to about 35,000 students, and there was a shift in emphasis towards focusing on service and the student experience,” Moore said. “It was definitely a season of change reevaluating processes and outcomes.” Moore spent several years as a problem-solver for the university before her family moved to McKinney.

“I turned to my community and I said, ‘Okay, let’s go,’” she said. “How can I make a difference? What can I do that only I can contribute?”

During this time, she served in large scale community engagement, non-profit board leadership and also worked as the Director of Development for a non profit organization.

Moore also brings to Durant experience in policy making and experience in Historic Preservation.

“Specifically, how preservation initiatives have the capacity to impact tourism, Main Street, Business attraction and retention and boost the greater community identity and how people feel about where they live,” she said.

“Essentially, economic development is many people and many things working together which impacts the health and vitality of the places we live. Durant is a great place to be and there are so many good things happening and moving forward here. At every opportunity, I’ve asked people what the best thing about Durant is; every time without fail the answer is the community, it’s the people. Most importantly, Durant is a community of hope and opportunity.”

Since joining the City of Durant in January, Moore has hit the ground running. In addition to her role as the Director of Economic Development, she serves as the Director of the Industrial Authority, sits on the SODA Board of Directors as well as the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and is working diligently to support the future of Durant.