Metroplan board members said Wednesday they will retain a search firm to conduct a national search for candidates to replace the agency's longtime executive director.
Jim McKenzie has led the long-range transportation agency for central Arkansas for 26 years. He has notified the board of directors, composed of the region's mayors and county judges, that he intends to retire next year.
Richard Magee, the deputy director and planning director who has been with Metroplan for 41 years, also is set to retire next year.
The board will hold a strategic planning retreat early next year before beginning the search.
While a national search wouldn't discount local candidates, the search needed to be exhaustive, said Mayflower Mayor Randy Holland, the board president.
"It's a very big position," he said. "We need to get the right person in here. Jim's been here a long time. He knows everything. It will be a crucial thing to get the right person. We need to take our time and not be in a major hurry and do it the right way the first time."
Metro on 08/27/2015