Meet the new Housing Authority director

Chris Garrett has filled the Fulton Housing Authority director position. You may know him from his time at Don Woodson State Farm Insurance or his involvement in causes around town.
Chris Garrett has filled the Fulton Housing Authority director position. You may know him from his time at Don Woodson State Farm Insurance or his involvement in causes around town.

New Fulton Housing Authority Director Chris Garrett is settling into his position.

After five weeks on the job, he hosted an official meet-and-greet Thursday with FHA tenants.

"I wanted to get my feet wet here, meet the staff and get our system set up," he said. "The FHA has been well-run and maintained, and we're going to carry on the same mission of providing safe, affordable and sanitary housing."

Longtime Fulton residents likely know Garrett from his five years at Don Woodson State Farm Insurance or his years managing C&R Market. Woodson, who's spent time on the FHA board, encouraged him to apply for the director role.

Garrett has also been involved with various boards and committees around town, including the Callaway Chamber of Commerce, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Kiwanis Club and the Presbyterian Manor Mission Board.

A Callawegian native, Garrett graduated from Fulton High School and attended Northwest Missouri State University and Westminster College. Garrett spent time away from Fulton with jobs in retail management before returning to raise his family. He and his wife have two children, ages 8 and 13.

"I care about the community and want it to do well," he said.

Garrett said he doesn't have a background in public housing, but he feels his prior work experience has prepared him well.

"I'm familiar with setting budgets and meeting deadlines, and when it comes to the management of people and staff, that's right in my wheelhouse," he said. "Also, I have connections with city and county officials."

With the help of current staff and training programs, he's steadily familiarizing himself with Housing and Urban Development guidelines to better run FHA's 200 units and various other buildings.

Garrett said he's looking forward to continuing FHA's tradition of providing quality housing.

"My door's always open to speak with tenants and community members," he added.