A top financial official with the Missouri Department of Transportation will become Houston city administrator.
Tona Bowen, a Simmons resident, was hired Wednesday night. She will begin duties July 24, said Mayor Don Tottingham. She will be the first woman ever to hold the top position.
Bowen has been the financial services administrator with MoDOT in Jefferson City since April 2013. Her duties include developing financial policies for the agency, including that related to the legislative, capital improvement and operating budgets. She manages a staff of five accountants, in addition to budget development.
Previously, she was a financial analyst and staff accountant with Air Medical Group Holding, which operates Air Evac. She also worked from 2005-2007 for the City of Phoenix as the community opened the seventh-largest convention center in the world.
Tottingham said the city interviewed five candidates before deciding on Bowen, who has a master’s degree in business administration from Western International University.
The six-member council, mayor and department heads participated in the interview process.
Bowen’s responsibilities will include managing the city’s 25 employees and development of the budget. She’ll also have economic development responsibilities. She will be paid $62,000 annually and benefits. She will reside in Houston.