Downtown Albany BID Announces Staff Additions

Georgette Steffens, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (Albany BID), and the Downtown Albany BID board welcome both Dan Kelleher as the new Business Development Manager and Barbara Gaffuri as Program Assistant.

As the Business Development Manager, Kelleher's responsibilities include retaining existing downtown tenants, promoting the expansion of residential living opportunities downtown, attracting businesses to the District, providing support to small businesses, as well as building our community of Downtown employees. He can be reached at dkelleher@downtownalbany.org or 518.465.2143 x 14. Gaffuri's main responsibilities are maintaining connections with downtown Albany businesses and contributing to the numerous BID endeavors. Gafurri can be reached at bgaffuri@downtownalbany.org or 518.465.2143.

Kelleher's current position at the Downtown Albany BID is preceded by his employment as a Planning Intern at Roger Trancik, FALSA, Urban Design Consultants in Ithaca, NY where he contributed two chapters to their policy handbook, Hamlets 3: Planning for Smart Growth and Expansion of Hamlets in the Adirondack Park. Dan was responsible for the economic analysis of client municipalities, the facilitation of public meetings and the development of real estate proposals that sought to encourage business development. "I look forward to working with Dan on continuing the momentum of the business development initiatives we have built over the last year. With his experience and background, he is certain to be effective in aiding our organization's achievement of its goals and objectives," stated Georgette Steffens, Downtown Albany BID Executive Director.

Kelleher has competed in numerous national design competitions earning himself first place in the Ed Bacon Student Design Competition and top ten out of 117 in the ULI/Gerald D. Hines Student Urban Design Competition. Having recently earned his Masters of Regional Planning degree from Cornell University, Dan graduated cum laude from Plattsburgh State University with a dual BA degree in Environmental Planning and Management and Geography.

Prior to working as the Downtown Albany BID's Program Assistant, Gaffuri worked at Community Care Physicians in medical administration support and Prime Care Physicians where she was a credentialing assistant. Both these positions allowed Barbara to hone her technical skills as well as gave her the ability to collaborate in a team environment. Gaffuri also has experience as a substitute teacher for the Albany School District where she taught primary and secondary students. Graduating from Union College in 2008, Gaffuri earned a Bachelor's degree in Arts with a concentration in European History. "Barbara is a great addition to our staff. Her strong communication skills and aptitude for artistic and creative visualization are just a few of the qualities she brings to work every day," stated Georgette Steffens, Downtown Albany BID Executive Director.

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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 www.downtownalbany.org.