Jan. 16, 2007 — Hubert Brumant, longtime manager of the Humane Society of St. Thomas, has been selected to succeed Bill Jowers as Magens Bay general manager on Jan. 22.
Brumant, the shelter's manager of animal care and control, was responsible for the protection and adoption of a large colony of dogs and cats at the society’s Nadir facility. He was also an animal cruelty investigator.
Magens Bay Authority Board Chair Aubrey Nelthropp said Tuesday that hiring a new manager was a methodical process that took nearly three months. "We had 37 applicants. We narrowed that down to six, and then to three, out of which Hubert Brumant was the most qualified for good continuity at Magens Bay," he said.
Authority board member Katina Coulianos-Sells, who was part of the selection committee, said Tuesday that Brumant "not only brings an ability to manage a rather diverse operation, he also has very strong people skills, and that's very important. His attitude about interacting with people and trying to resolve problems is very positive."
Authority board member and acting attorney general, Elliot MacIver Davis, said, "I am thrilled with the choice of Brumant. He clearly stood out from the rest of the pack. I recognize his many years of dedicated work at the Humane Society. The skills he employed there, and his personal traits demonstrate that he will be a great asset to the authority and its employees."
While excited for Brumant and his new opportunity, Humane Society Executive Director Leslie Fisher said Tuesday that replacing him won't be an easy task. "We now will have some big shoes to fill. He has done a wonderful job, and I'm happy he will have his hands full [at Magens]. He's used to that, and I know he will do very well," she said.
Fisher said the search for a new manager will start this week.
Brumant said Tuesday that although he is "very pleased" at his new position, he would prefer to make a statement after the Magens board meets this Friday.
Brumant will have his hands more than full. Not only will he be in charge of Magens Bay, he will also take over as manager of Lindqvist Beach if the Magens Bay Authority takes over management of the property.
Sen. Louis Hill said Tuesday that he will introduce a bill at the next Senate full session appropriating $1.5 million to get infrastructure in place at Lindqvist. He has said that once the necessary infrastructure is in place, the park could be self-sufficient within a year (See "Magens Bay Authority Could Manage Lindqvist, But How Remains The Question").
Jowers Will Be Missed
Although authority board members are enthusiastic about Brumant, they expressed regret at losing Jowers after 26 years of service. Davis said, "Bill Jowers has been an institution at Magens Bay. He is significantly responsible for all the good things that the beach and the authority are known for."
Coulianos-Sells also had kind words for Jowers. "He has been a good face of Magens Bay … When he comes to the board, he is concise. He lays out what he wants and has the facts to back it up," she said. "You can't believe something that looks so quiet and peaceful takes a lot of work to make it look that way."
Drawing on his own experience, Jowers said, "The job can be very difficult. It's really 'learn as you go.' You have to be truly prepared for what can happen when you are dealing with a public of several thousand a day. You have to be very flexible, to address just about anything at any time."
Jowers continued, "The bottom line is it's a very interesting job, meaningful in preserving and protecting the beach for the future. The change is here now and I wish him [Brumant] all the best. We have a very eclectic board, a cross-section of the community. We have a dynamic chairman [Nelthropp] and now, Hubert. They face challenges, and I think they are up to it."
Jowers leaves Magens the end of January, and Brumant will begin Jan. 22.
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