Old Town Cape picks local man as director

Tim Arbeiter has been hired as the executive director of Old Town Cape, a volunteer organization dedicated to the revitalization of the city's historic commercial and residential districts. He will take over the program Dec. 6.

Steven Hoffman, president of the Old Town Cape board of directors, said that Arbeiter was chosen from among 13 candidates because of his understanding of business and command of public relations skills needed to work with a cross-section of people.

"His interpersonal skills and business background combined with his passion and interest in the mission of Old Town Cape made him stand out for us," Hoffman said.

Arbeiter will leave his current position as assistant director for operations of the University Center at Southeast Missouri State University, where he has worked for two years. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance and a master's degree in counseling.

Arbeiter also is a 2003 graduate of Leadership Cape and a member of Vision 2020 Community Relations Council and Cape West Rotary.

The first item on Arbeiter's new agenda will be to "get out on the streets and meet the stakeholders and businesses represented in the Old Town Cape district," he said. "I am so looking forward to it. This organization has such a noble cause to preserve Cape's heritage while at the same time embracing many current and future developments."

Arbeiter, 29, said that except for a two-year hiatus in Michigan while his wife completed her graduate studies, he has always lived in Cape Girardeau. His wife, Pam, teaches visually impaired children for Jackson public schools. They have an 18-month-old daughter, Abigail.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160