Downtown Albany BID Announces Staff Additions

ALBANY, NY (01/04/2010)(readMedia)-- Georgette Steffens, Executive Director, and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District have welcomed two new staff members to their office. Jennifer Miller has joined the BID as Director of Business Development effective December 14, 2009 and Paul Hart joined as Communications Manager beginning January 4, 2010.

Georgette Steffens commented, "As the BID continues to position itself as the go-to organization for all things downtown, business development and communications are among our top priorities. Jennifer and Paul bring the additional strong skill sets to the BID that will help us succeed in the initiatives to realize this vision as we embark on 2010."

Jennifer Miller came to the BID from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY where she served as Director of Business Partnerships and Corporate Relations. At CALS, Jennifer's role was to establish and enhance partnerships between businesses and the college to create mutually beneficial opportunities for research, teaching, and extension. Prior to her role at CALS, Jennifer was employed by the Cornell Center for Technology Enterprise and Commercialization (CCTEC) as Manager of Economic Development. Jennifer also held the position of Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Center for Economic Growth (CEG), a regional economic development organization based in Albany, NY. Additionally, she has held marketing positions in two upstate New York technology companies. Jennifer holds a BS in Marketing and Management from Siena College in Loudonville, NY and an MA in Organizational Communication from the University at Albany in Albany, NY.

Paul Hart began and grew his career in store management with several national retailers. For seven years, he led teams of more than 75 employees to achieve multi-million dollars in annual sales at several Old Navy stores in the upstate New York region. Paul then relocated to New York City where he managed high-profile flagship stores for Pier 1 Imports, Bombay Company, and most recently for Ann Taylor Stores. As he finished his bachelor's degree, Paul completed a nine-month internship with the Downtown Albany BID in 2008, notably co-directing the 2008 Quadricentennial Commemorative Calendar project. Paul holds a BS in Business from the City University of New York (CUNY) in New York, NY and is currently working toward his MBA at the University at Albany in Albany, NY.

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Downtown Albany Business Improvement District

The Downtown Albany BID, incorporated in 1996, is a private, not-for profit 501 (c) (3) organization that works to restore, promote and maintain the character and viability of downtown Albany and to improve the quality of life and overall image of downtown for all those who work in, live in and visit the Capital City. Ample public parking is available at downtown's public garages, lots and on-street metered spaces. Metered parking is free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all weekends. For information about the Downtown Albany BID, call (518) 465-2143 or visit downtownalbany.org.