By Megan Collier
Review Staff Writer
Suzanne Perreault will become the fourth Downtown Development Authority (DDA) director in Lake Orion since the position was created in 2001.
Perreault will relieve Interim Director Cindy Czubko, who was hired in September to fill in after Lois Golden was removed from the position.
‘I think the DDA board has done the right thing in making this move to hiring this new director,? said Board President Gene Carlson. ‘I think it’s going to be a great improvement for the DDA. As a whole, we want to move forward and do the best we can. We don’t have any regrets.?
After 22 resumes, six interviews and two top contenders, Carlson said ‘We selected Suzanne as our top pick. She came recommended to us by Main Street Oakland County.?
Perreault was hired in at $45,000 per year with benefits. Czubko was compensated $4,469 for her work in the Nov. 1 to 24 interim.
Carlson noted Perreault’s education and experience tipped the scales in her favor. The new director has a bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in public administration and is working on her master’s in public administration with a state and local government concentration.
Since 2007, Perreault’s served as Holly’s DDA Director. She’ll remain there until the beginning of 2010, when her employment begins in Lake Orion, Jan. 4.
Several weeks ago, Main Street Oakland County gave Perreault a ‘Guts and Determination? award, according to Carlson. Main Street is a national program focused on revitalizing historic communities. Lake Orion’s DDA participates through Main Street Oakland County.
‘She’s highly educated and has the right experience as a director, she comes highly recommended and had all the right answers to our questions,? Carlson said, adding ‘she’s good with people, comfortable and has experience with streetscapes. Take all those things and put them together, and she looks like the right person.?
Carlson said one of the most important qualities Perreault has is the ability to ‘hit the ground running.?
The DDA hopes the new director will focus on getting Main Street accreditation back; something Perreault says she wants to work on, too.
The board removed Golden, the previous director, from her position after failing to be accredited. The failure, Carlson said earlier this year, was something the board took into consideration when dismissing her.
In looking to the future, both Carlson and Perreault have their sights set on the large streetscape project slated to begin spring 2010.
‘Holly is right in the middle of a streetscape project ? it’s very exciting and I’ve learned a lot of lessons through that. I have a ton of ideas for ways to promote downtown even when the street is missing,? said Perreault, noting promotion will be extremely important during the renovations as ‘people typically avoid areas of construction.?
Carlson predicts the new director will ‘step right in and take off? in managing the streetscape project.
Long-term, Perreault says she wants to get to know business owners, find out how they’re doing and figure out how the DDA can help, whether they’re struggling or expanding.
The DDA will look at vacancy rates as well as business recruiting and retention, according to Perreault.
‘We need to make sure we have thriving businesses,? she said. ‘With that, we’ll be able to do more events and try to attract people downtown.?
Perreault also noted her enthusiasm to start the new position.
‘I think there’s a really great group of people leading the DDA and village ? I’m really excited to get over there and get started,? she said.