Susan Mazarakes on Wednesday had the "interim" portion of her Longview Economic Development Corp. executive director title removed.

LEDCO's board of directors voted to appoint Mazarakes as executive director for an $85,000 a year, 12-month contract.

Her performance will be reviewed after six months and again at the end of the year.

Mazarakes has been on the staff for about eight years and has worked in a variety of areas, including workforce development, business retention and retail development, according to Robert Metzler, president of the board. She has served as interim executive director since January.

"She's done an excellent job filling in during this transition period since John (Stroud) retired," Metzler said. Mazarakes said she has a solid professional relationship with Longview-area business leaders and economic development officials at the state level.

"We've received a lot of positive comments and praise for the job she's done," Metzler said. "We're looking forward to her putting her experience to work as we plan ahead and set goals for LEDCO."

Former LEDCO Executive Director Stroud retired in December and moved out of state. Stroud's salary was $110,000 in 2009.

Mazarakes said at LEDCO's monthly board meeting Wednesday that East Texas economic development indicators are on the rise.
"We are very busy with 39 open projects from prospects," she said. "Activity has really picked up the past few months. We're getting inquiries on nearly a daily basis."

That is a big improvement from a year ago when economic development activity from firms anticipating expansion, relocation and new hiring came to a near standstill. Mazarakes said.