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MIDDLETOWN — Nearly four dozen people from coast to coast have applied for Middletown's vacant economic development director position.

The field of candidates ranges widely in years and types of experience in private and public sector positions, community and economic development, and commercial real estate.

The 42 men and four women applying for the position hail from 18 Ohio communities and 12 states, from Oregon to New York and from Texas to Wisconsin.

"We hope to hire someone by

Jan. 1," said City Manager Judy Gilleland, who said she is in the process of reviewing applications and hopes to have the field cut down to five candidates in the next few weeks.

The successful candidate will replace Bill Murphy, who resigned earlier this fall to take a job in Cincinnati.

The field of candidates also includes Doug Williams of Lebanon, who played for five years for the NFL's Houston Oilers, as well as John Weikle of Columbus, the founder of the now-defunct Skybus Airlines, which shut down earlier this year.

The economic development director is in charge of implementing the programs and plans for the city's economic revitalization; developing and leading job growth strategies through recruitment and retention; acts as liaison between the city and various community organizations; and overseeing the small business development assistance program; works to help businesses expand or relocate to the city; works with the business community; and supervises a full-time program manager.

Depending on qualifications, the salary ranges between $66,262 and $87,287 a year.

Other regional applicants include Rodney S. Smith, the former Waynesville village manager; Mike Robinette, Franklin's current finance and economic development director and retired executive director of the Miami Conservancy District; John Fonner, former executive director of the Butler County Transportation Improvement Districct and former secretary of the Butler County Port Authority; Maria Collins, Lebanon's economic development coordinator; James Banker, former president of Misa Metals of Middletown; and Jung-Han Chen, Oxford's community development director and a former Middletown senior planner.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or at erichter@coxohio.com.