Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Friday, September 05, 2008

Personnel appointment marks City Hall first

By SAMANTHA MARCUS | La Crosse Tribune

City Hall is poised to have its first-ever female department head as Wendy Oestreich nears confirmation as La Crosse’s next director of human resources.

Oestreich, a nine-year city employee, has been interim department head since Jim Geissner retired in March.

She declined to comment on the appointment until after the Common Council’s confirmation vote Thursday evening.

The Finance and Personnel Committee this week unanimously backed the appointment, and the selection committee will brief the full council on its decision before votes on Tuesday and Thursday.

“Wendy is extremely well-qualified, with hands-on experience and a great personality to serve as our HR director,” said Audrey Kader, chairwoman of the Finance and Personnel Committee and screening committee member.

Before her city position, Oestreich spent 10 years as a human resources generalist in the private sector.

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