Downtown Albany Bid Appoints New Executive Director

ALBANY, NY (08/20/2009)(readMedia)-- The Board of Directors of the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) has appointed Georgette Steffens as the new Executive Director of the organization. She will assume the position beginning September 14, 2009.

Ms. Steffens is currently the Director of Operations of Triad Consulting Group of Cambridge, Massachusetts, a consulting group which specializes in communications and negotiation to assist organizations in building capacity to manage difficult conversations and critical relationships within their work environment. Her responsibilities there include human resources, accounting, marketing and identifying new opportunities for growth. Prior to her position with Triad, Ms. Steffens worked for the City of Albany, serving as Director of the Albany HomeStore whose mission was to stabilize and strengthen Albany neighborhoods by increasing the rate of homeownership in the City, increasing owner occupancy to the level of the national average. Her accomplishments there included the development and implementation of an Employer Assisted Housing Program for local colleges and a down-payment assistance program for prospective homeowners. Other experience includes coordinating block-by-block improvement efforts in Albany's Midtown and Arbor Hill neighborhoods and co-managing the Midtown Colleges and University study, a strategic plan to leverage the investment opportunities and programming needs of the colleges & universities in Albany's Midtown to benefit the adjacent neighborhoods. Earlier experience includes a role as Economic Developer for the City of Albany-Department of Planning and Development, and as Program Coordinator for the Center for Economic Growth.

Tracy Metzger, Chair of the Downtown Albany BID Board of Directors, remarked, "The BID Board unanimously approved the appointment of Georgette Steffens as the new Executive Director. Her depth of experience working in the past for the City of Albany in several capacities as well as the Center for Economic Growth, where she was well respected for her work ethic and enthusiasm, vaulted her to the final selection stage. Her most recent experience working for Triad Consulting Group as the Director of Operations added even more depth and knowledge to her resume. We are confident that Georgette will be able to hit the ground running to advance the BID's current initiatives and programs which further its mission to restore, promote and maintain the character and viability of downtown Albany and to improve the quality of life and overall image for those who live in, work in and visit the Capital City."

Ms. Steffens holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Johnson State College in Vermont.

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. The Downtown Albany BID covers approximately 50 square blocks from Eagle Street on the west to Broadway on the east, and Clinton Avenue on the north to Madison Avenue on the south. Downtown Albany is easily accessible from four exits off I-787. Ample public parking is available in more than 16,000 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.