Ross D. Horner named Columbus Civic Center director

Columbus Council unanimously approved the hiring of Ross D. Horner, a 20-year veteran of civic and cultural centers, to be the new director of the Civic Center.

He will replace Dale Hester, who retired in January and currently figures prominently in a transition audit just released by City Auditor John Redmond. “I feel like I’ve found my dream job, and definitely in a dream community,” Horner told the councilors after their vote.

Mayor Teresa Tomlinson told Horner she looked forward to his “joining the team” at the beginning of August, but joked, “It will not be any cooler.”

Horner, 42, is currently marketing and booking director of the Bismarck (N.D.) Civic Center, was presented to council two weeks ago.

He will be paid $85,008. Hester was paid $75,137.

This story was originally published June 29, 2011 at 12:07 AM with the headline "Ross D. Horner named Columbus Civic Center director."