Savannah Ballard has worked part-time as Macomb’s marketing and downtown development director in recent weeks while completing her degree at Western Illinois University.
She will take over the position full-time after she graduates on Saturday, May 13 with a degree in communication and a minor in marketing.
Ballard feels fortunate to have a job lined up right out of college.
“I lucked out for sure, and in an amazing community that has been so supportive and kind to me. I am very grateful,” she said.
Ballard will be in charge of organizing downtown public events such as the Park ‘n’ Cruise and Dickens on the Square, and she will administer the city’s downtown renovation grant.
She will also be responsible for maintaining the city’s website and social media accounts.
“My big passion is social media. So being able to connect and inform as many people as possible, and working in a small-town community, I feel like I’m going to have a great platform to do so,” Ballard said.
She hopes to use social media to draw more WIU students to the downtown.
Ballard was familiar with the region before she attended Western because she grew up in Cameron in Warren County. She worked several part-time jobs after coming to Macomb a couple years ago, and she has volunteered with the Humane Society of McDonough County.
Mayor Mike Inman said the city interviewed five candidates for the position. He said Ballard has a great personality and a substantial skill set.
Her starting salary is $42,371.
Ballard replaced Kristin Terry, who held the job for seven years before leaving to become program coordinator for the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at WIU.
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