TRUMBULL COUNTY Ex-director of HBA lands soil conservation post

The job could become permanent, based upon his performance.
WARREN -- Mike Wilson, former executive director of the Homebuilders Association, has been named interim director for the Trumbull County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Wilson had been the district's board chairman but resigned to accept the job after the board of supervisors created the interim position last month. Board members are volunteers.
David H. Brown, who had served the district for 14 years, recently retired.
The conservation district's mission is to promote and protect Trumbull County's natural resources. It is a state agency.
Rich Houk, the conservation district's fiscal agent, said Wilson will be paid $24.04 hourly, which is less than that of his predecessor, Houk noted. The district receives a mixture of state and county funding.
The position could become permanent for Wilson based upon his job performance, but Houk said the board does not expect to make that appointment for 10 months.
Wilson comes to the conservation district after leading the HBA for 14 years.
"We were fortunate that Mike Wilson was available due to his recent departure from the homebuilders group to help our agency at this time of change," Houk said.
Houk noted Wilson has a strong knowledge of soil and water issues and a background in management.
Other projects
Conservation district staff are busy with annual tree and fish sales as well as assisting landowners with soil mapping and technical issues, Wilson noted.
"It's also a time of change for many soil and water conservation districts with their strategic planning, which now includes more urban-suburban land uses to deal with, as well as budget cuts and financial and marketing issues," he said.
The board will have to replace Wilson. The five-member board has four members from the agriculture sector and hopes to select someone from the urban and suburban community.
Its next meeting is Monday at the Trumbull County Agriculture and Family Education center, 520 W. Main St., Cortland.
Wilson was named outstanding HBA executive director in the nation in 2000. The local HBA received more national programming and membership awards "than any other local in the entire country" under his leadership, the conservation district board said.