LANSING | The Village Board gave approval to hire an Oak Park woman with experience in operating youth-oriented programs across the country to be executive director of the village's youth center.

Jenna Comer, a 2003 graduate of Bowling Green State University with a bachelor's degree in sociology, received a 5-0 vote of support from the board.

Comer will begin her new duties Monday. She will receive an annual salary of $37,000 and be the one full-time staffer at the youth center, 18123 Burnham Ave.

Mayor Dan Podgorski cited Comer's experience working with youth-oriented programs in places such as Chicago, Champaign and YMCA facilities in Ohio and Kansas. He said her resume includes a stint working at a Girl Scout camp in Alaska.

"She has a lot of experience working with youth," Podgorski said. "She is supportive of programs that help bring communities together."

Comer replaces Tina Weddig, who resigned the position in June.

Comer was not on hand when her appointment was approved Tuesday, as she recently got married and is on her honeymoon. She met Village Board officials last month, just after she completed a cursory background investigation by the Lansing Police Department into her resume.

The youth center has been in existence since 1997 and provides a place for local children and teenagers to hang out after school Monday through Friday. It will be staffed by Comer and adult volunteers.