The Housing and Redevelopment Authority board is one step closer to finding its executive director after narrowing down applicants to a shortlist of three finalists invited to interview.

Individual paper ballot voting showed the HRA board was unanimous for one finalist and six of the seven board members voted for another, but the third and fourth candidates were split by one vote.

While HRA board member Larry Baker acknowledged the third and fourth candidates were close together in votes, he said he would like to invite the top three.

“Sure, it was close, but … top three — I’d be comfortable with that,” he said.

Former HRA director Jon Ford resigned over a year ago in June 2018. In his stead, Assistant City Manager — now interim city manager as the city, too, looks for a new leader — Jerry Gabreilatos was serving as interim HRA director, before Albert Lea Finance Director Kristi Brutlag started overseeing the HRA in the interim.

The board did not discuss any candidates during the meeting, but unanimously approved inviting finalists Sarah Barnes, Diane Anastos and Jeanne Leick.

Prior to the meeting, board members received a resume, cover letter, video interview responses and a work personality traits assessment.

Finalist interviews will be conducted Aug. 1, said DDA Management Consultant Liza Donabauer, who is assisting the HRA in its search for an executive director. Two of the three candidates will be interviewed before lunch, while the third would occur right after. During lunch, members of the board, stakeholders and staff can discuss impressions of the candidates, Donabauer said. After the third interview, Donabauer said, the board should be ready to make its decision during a deliberation time.

The HRA board voted to approve one night of city-selected housing for the candidates.

HRA board member Michael Bartz said he was pleased with the selection of candidates. In his evaluation of the applicants, he said he was looking for the most experienced candidates.

“I think we did a good job,” he said of the board’s selection of finalists.

HRA board member Reid Olson said he was looking for experience in the housing field, but also ambition. He was also pleased with the selection of candidates.

“It is three very qualified people that we’ll be bringing in to look at the position,” Olson said.