03-27-2007 City to provide executive leadership for DTSB

Home Browse Search

o�sou Tx F dx :J b W eFacE � � y� a 1, a2 1865 Office of the Mayor NEWS RELEASE March 27, 2007 2 p.m. Contact: Mikki Dobski, Dir of Communications &Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564 Jeff Gibney, Director of Community and Economic Development, 235-9375 Paul Meyer, Chair, DI SB Board, 237-9201 City to provide new executive leadership for DTSB The City of South Bend today announced it would provide two staff, leaders of the City Plan process, as interim executive leadership for Downtown South Bend Inc., a public- private partnership created in 2002 to promote the downtown area. Marco Mariam, the city's assistant director of community development, will serve as interim DTSB executive director, while city planner Jitin Kain will assist him in the day- to-day management of DTSB. "The City of South Bend is dedicated to moving forward in this partnership with the business community to strengthen our downtown," said Jeff Gibney, director of the city's Community and Economic Development department, whose staff include Mariam and Kain. "We are committed to creating a vibrant, exciting and diverse downtown that serves as a destination throughout the region for people to work, play, live and shop." Mariani and Kain will join existing DTSB staffers Sharman Schmidt, project development manager; Robin Slutsky, marketing and development coordinator; and Chris Culver, ambassador supervisor. Mariani and Kain will be accountable to both the DTSB board and Gibney. "We're deeply grateful for this very tangible show of support for DTSB and its mission by the city," said Paul Meyer, chair of the DTSB board. "Having `known people,' such as Marco and Jitin, with their background, knowledge and expertise join DTSB in these interim positions will go far in helping DTSB continue its programs and initiatives without hesitation or interruption." -more-