Ortonville- The Downtown Development Authority has struggled the last several weeks as two members and the executive director resigned, but the organization appears to be regaining its footing, with the hiring of a new executive director and reappointments of two members.
Molly LaLone, a 39-year-old Atlas Township resident, started work Oct. 8 as the new DDA executive director and Main Street manager.
LaLone, who was involved with the DDA sponsored Beets, Beats & Eats event as a vendor, began researching the executive director position when it became open with the resignation of Janine Saputo.
‘The DDA needs someone committed to Ortonville who wanted a part-time position and I fit those requirements,? said LaLone. ‘I was looking for a part-time postion that was challenging and had lots of events and different things to do.?
Positions LaLone has held in the past include sales coordinator for Courtyard by Marriott; payroll clerk for Mike LaLone’s Well & Pump Service in Davisburg; and working for the personnel department at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in community recreation? hotel management from Central Michigan University, and is married with two children.
LaLone plans to take some training classes in November with Main Street Oakland County and hopes to meet as many community residents and business members during the next 90 days as she can.
‘I’m very excited to be executive director,? she said. ‘I can’t wait to start sinking my teeth into the challenges we have here.?
Those challenges include replacing board members David Bonner and Sherry Regiani, both of whom recently resigned, citing a lack of action and volunteers, among other reasons.
LaLone said the DDA is currently looking for two volunteers to fill their positions.
The current DDA board met with the village council before the council’s Monday night meeting, where Council President Ken Quisenberry expressed his desire to see a ‘good, functional, stable DDA Board? in place in the next two to four weeks.
The council later approved the reappointments of Tim Dibble and Brenda Heffernan to the board.
‘I think the DDA is going to do some internal restructuring and have a direction change, but they’re very committed and will serve us all well,? Quisenberry said. ‘We have similar goals? improvement of the quality of life in the village of Ortonville.?