Business Today

MALDEN -- A Bloomfield educator has stepped out of retirement to oversee the daily operations of the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission.

Michael Dumey, who retired last year as the Bloomfield superintendent of schools, was recently named by the commission's executive committee to serve as its interim executive director.

Aug. 26 was his first day on the job and, as he describes it, it was "a little overwhelming." "It's going to be a situation where I'll have to put in a lot of time and do a lot of study. There's an amazing amount of information that has to be learned," Dumey said. He feels his 30 years in public education - the last eight as superintendent in the Naylor and Bloomfield school districts - has provided a lot of the experience necessary for his new position.

"I see a lot of similarities in the job description," Dumey said. "Some experiences I've had as superintendent are very applicable to this position." The commission's responsibility is to coordinate and utilize federal, state and local programs designed to improve the economy of the area. To achieve that goal, some of Dumey's responsibilities will be to coordinate and oversee all the programs currently in place; supervise personnel; promote public relations; recommend program and budget policies; prepare grant applications; serve as liaison with other government officials and agencies; and provide technical and advisory services to local governments.

The Bootheel Planning and Economic Development Commission serves the six-county area of Dunklin, Stoddard, Scott, Mississippi, New Madrid and Pemiscot.