Sandra Ward Selected as Interim Executive Director of the
Downtown Improvement Board
Pensacola, FL – September 26, 2012 – The Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board (DIB) has engaged the services of Sandra Ward to fill the position of Interim Executive Director.
“It’s an exciting time to be a part of the DIB again; and I am looking forward to the next few months as the Interim Executive Director. I really want to see us keep the momentum downtown going as we begin the search for a new permanent person to lead the DIB,†says Ward.
Ward, owner of Sandra J. Ward Realty and a downtown property owner, previously served as the Interim DIB Executive Director during early 2004 when there was last a vacancy in the Executive Director position. She was a member of the DIB from 1993 to 2009. During that time, she served as Chairperson of the DIB from 1997 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2004. During her tenure, Ward has also held the positions of Vice-Chairperson and Treasurer as well as served as Chair of the Housing Committee multiple times.
Ward will be temporarily replacing Franklin Kimbrough, when he leaves the DIB in early October to become President and CEO of the Independence Chamber of Commerce in Missouri, while the DIB members do a search for a permanent replacement.
“Having served on the DIB in several leadership positions and being a longtime owner of property in the downtown as well as a Realtor in the area for over 20 years, Ward has a strong understanding of the DIB structure, its mission, its history and its challenges. She will serve us well as Interim Executive Director†said DIB Chairman, Burney Merrill.
The DIB will be discussing the process in which a permanent replacement for the Executive Director will be handled at the next scheduled DIB meeting on October 2, 2012 at 7:30am in the DIB Public Meeting Room (Suite 104) at 41 N. Jefferson St.