Welch Hired To Succeed Toma As Ste. Genevieve’s City Administrator

Happy Welch has served as city administrator in three cities in Missouri. He was working for the city of Festus in 2016 when this picture was taken. (Photo courtesy of Jefferson County Leader)

Members of the Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to hire Happy Welch as city administrator during a closed session following last Thursday’s regular meeting.
Welch will succeed Martin Toma, who announced his impending retirement in December 2019.
Welch brings considerable experience to the job.
He has served as city administrator of three Missouri cities — Festus, Pevely and Harrisonville. Prior to that, he spent more than 10 years as a building official with the city of Festus.
Welch, 58, grew up in Winfield, Kansas, and received a bachelor’s degree in communications and public relations from Wichita State University. …

Toma, who had worked for many years in Jefferson County before taking his current position in April 2011, knows Welch well.
“I’ve known him a long time because he was working in Jefferson County when I was in Jefferson County,” Toma said. “He’s a knowledgeable, well-respected city administrator who will bring his skills to the city.”

See complete story in the March 25 edition of the Herald.