Danette Parr, former community development director in Maplewood, is the new community development director in Stillwater.

Parr’s first day on the job in Stillwater was Monday. Her annual salary is $153,921.

Parr, 51, had been Maplewood’s community development director for two years. Prior to that, she served as community and economic development director in Plymouth; economic development director in Cottage Grove; director of business development in St. Paul; and community development and natural resources director in Prior Lake.

Parr impressed Stillwater officials with her “tremendous amount of experience in the field and strong interpersonal skills,” Stillwater City Administrator Joe Kohlmann said. “Not only is she a great fit for Stillwater, but we feel she will be able to elevate the city even further on a premier level.”

Parr, who grew up in Hudson, Wis., said she looks forward to returning to the St. Croix River Valley. “I feel like it’s coming full circle,” she said.

Maplewood has a population of 40,000; Stillwater has about 19,000.

“While it’s half the population, Stillwater is just a really special place,” Parr said. “Everybody knows Stillwater. After working in this field for 25 years, I feel lucky to be ready for the job. I feel like I’m at this sweet spot. I don’t know if I would have been ready for the job 10 years ago, but I feel like now I have this culmination of all my skills and I’ve made a lot of partnerships out there that I feel like can serve the city well — the businesses on the hill and the business park as well as downtown.”

Parr has a master’s degree in public administration from Hamline University and a bachelor’s in land management and environmental studies from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

She and her husband, Chad, live in Mendota Heights with their three children.

Tim Gladhill, who previously held the position, left Stillwater in August to become community development director in Brooklyn Park.