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News staff writer
June 7,
2006
The new Downtown Business Association Coordinator, Michele Sliwa,
started work last week, just in time for the June 2 First
Friday.
Sliwa succeeds Joanie Thomson, who resigned last month to take
on the position of executive director for the Columbia Center
for the Arts.
“While we will miss Joanie, the board feels Michele will be a
great asset to the downtown and we are very happy to have her
working with us,” said board member Holli Francis.
Sliwa has worked as the development director for The Next Door,
Inc., for the past two years. Prior to her nonprofit experience
she spent 14 years in retail, including working as a general
manager and division sales manager for Hecht’s Department stores
in Virginia.
She has extensive experience in budget management, fund raising,
grant writing and community outreach. Michele says she is very
excited about assisting the downtown business owners in
maintaining economic growth and keeping downtown Hood River as
the place for locals and tourists.
The Downtown Business Association promotes the business vitality
of merchants, and is active in coordinating events such the
annual Hood River Hops Fest and First Friday, which runs April
through December. |
