By Emma Rausch
emma@thepaperofwabash.com
WABASH,IN The WMI Board of Directors announced Karst’s hiring on Friday, July 8, and he resumed his duties on Monday, July 11. He replaces Shelby McLaughlin, who resigned to assume a post at the Wabash County Historical Museum.
“We are looking forward to having Tyler join us,” WMI President Jason Callahan said. “He is bright, personable, enthusiastic and has a passion for promoting Wabash.
“He will be a great fit for our organization.”
Karst, a Wabash County native and Southwood High School graduate, moved to Phoenix, Ariz., in 2012 and returned to Wabash in 2014. Since then, he has been employed at the Wabash County YMCA and Midwest Eye Consultants as a sales development coordinator.
In 2015, he received a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studied specialization in learning and pedagogy from Northern Arizona University.
“When I moved back to Wabash, I wanted to get involved,” Karst told The Paper of Wabash County on Monday morning. “So I reached out and got involved with some different committees (such as) the Marketplace Committee, which includes a Promotion Committee and a First Friday Committee and I’m also on the Hospital Gala Committee.
“Being a part of these committees, they really allowed me to see the powerful impact of Marketplace and our community when they come together for different organizations.
“So when I heard about this position, it was like that missing puzzle piece,” he continued.
Karst said he learned in late June that WMI’s coordinator position was opening after McLaughlin announced her resignation.
The WMI Board of Directors “thank Shelby for her service on behalf of Marketplace and we wish her well in her future endeavors,” Callahan said.
With her resignation, Karst will be stepping into McLaughlin’s shoes with two weeks left of the Deluxe Corporation’s involvement and the Small Business Revolution.
“I’m meeting with Christine Flohr (Wabash County Convention Visitor’s Bureau executive director of tourism) about the Small Business Revolution involvement and to bring me up to speed on everything,” Karst said. “So as far as my involvement, yes I will be involved and I’ll be getting that figured out with Christine on exactly where that route will go.
“I’m ready to hit the ground running,” he continued. “I’m excited for this position and to see where we can take Wabash and where the people of Wabash and the community can grow together.”