DETROIT, Mich., October 7, 2010 – The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP), a private/public partnership of corporate and civic leaders, today announced the election of Cindy Pasky, president & CEO of Strategic Staffing Solutions, as its new board chair. Pasky succeeds Roger Penske, CEO of Penske Corporation, who will continue as a board vice chair. Anthony Earley, executive chairman of the board for DTE Energy, has been elected chair of the board’s Executive Committee.
“It has been a privilege to lead a great group of civic leaders and serve the City of Detroit through the efforts of such a dedicated organization,” said Penske. “I am proud of what the Downtown Detroit Partnership has accomplished. Cindy, along with Tony and the DDP leadership team, have the wealth of experience and the strategic insight necessary to take the organization to the next level.”
Penske initiated the organization’s signature Clean Downtown program with Goodwill Industries as an outgrowth of preparations for Super Bowl XL. During his tenure as DDP chair, the 2-1-1 On the-Go! homeless outreach program was launched in partnership with United Way. The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix generated over $50 million in economic benefit for metropolitan Detroit in both 2007 and 2008 as well as enduring benefits to Belle Isle Park. DDP has partnered with the City of Detroit on public space maintenance, spearheaded downtown marketing, and provided project support to help implement the initial segment (Downtown to New Center) of the Woodward Light Rail project that will run from downtown to Eight Mile as the first phase of a regional transit system.
As board chair, Pasky will build on this strong foundation and continue to support programs that strengthen Downtown and the City of Detroit.
“Clean Downtown and 211 On the Go! will continue to be core programs and we will do all we can to support the City of Detroit in advancing Woodward Light Rail,’ said Pasky. “Another significant priority moving forward will be increasing usage and improving perceptions of Downtown Detroit.”
Pasky and Earley co-chair the Detroit Committee of Business Leaders for Michigan. Pasky is actively involved in numerous community activities and non-profit organizations including chairing the Detroit Regional News Hub, a media relations outreach for the region. Pasky has been named one of Detroit’s Most Influential Women by Crain’s Detroit Business.
About Downtown Detroit Partnership:
The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) is a private/public partnership of corporate and civic leaders. DDP engages business, government, and civic leaders in developing initiatives to strengthen Downtown Detroit’s employment, entertainment and residential assets, as well as advancing diversity, vitality and economic health for Southeast Michigan’s urban core. For more information, visit www.DowntownDetroit.org.
