About UsWho We Are

Who We Are

Photo Credit BID Staff at the McPherson Square Metro Mural Unveiling; Photo by Kristen Franklin

Staff
Ambassadors
Board of Directors
Employment Opportunities

The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) was founded in 1997 and is a private non-profit organization that provides capital improvements, resources and research that keep the BID area clean, safe, economically and environmentally strong and accessible. The DowntownDC BID is a catalyst, facilitator and thought leader in diversifying the economy, promoting public/private partnerships and enhancing the DowntownDC experience for all. This special district, where property owners have agreed to tax themselves to fund services, encompasses a 138-block area of approximately 520 properties from Massachusetts Avenue on the north to Constitution Avenue on the south, and from Louisiana Avenue on the east to 16th Street on the west.
The DowntownDC BID employs Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance ambassadors, also known as SAMs, who keep DowntownDC streets clean, safe and friendly and assist residents, workers and visitors with a variety of needs. Administrative and management staff are experienced and knowledgeable individuals who share a passion and vision for improving the physical, economic and social environment in DowntownDC.

64,520
Read the BID's FY 2020 Annual Report

Our

Staff

Executive

Neil Albert
President & Chief Executive Officer

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Neil Albert has been President and CEO of the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) since September 2015. Prior to joining the BID, Neil was a senior policy advisor at Holland & Knight LLP in their public policy and regulation practice for over 4 years. Neil’s career in DC includes senior executive service with the Govermnent of the District of Columbia including serving as City Administrator and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development for Mayor Adrian Fenty and Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and Director of Parks and Recreation for Mayor Anthony Williams. From 2005-2007, Neil co-founded and led EdBuild, an educational services firm focused on improving public and charter schools in DC. Neil is a member of the 2013 class of Leadership Greater Washington. Neil was named a 2016 Washington Business Journal Minority Business Leader and was selected by the Washington Business Journal in 2015 as a Power 100 of 2015 “Connector." Neil serves on the board of several civic and public organizations. He currently chairs the board of commissioners of the District of Columbia Housing Authority, is a member of the executive committee of the DC Policy Center, and is a member of the board of the International Downtown Association (IDA). Neil Albert earned an MBA in finance from the New York Institute of Technology and is an avid marathoner.

Administration

Nabavi Oliver
Director of Administration

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Nabavi Oliver, Esq. is the BID’s Director of Administration, responsible for human resources and internal operations, corporate matters and board responsibilities. Nabavi joined the BID from EagleForce Associates, Incorporated, where he served as the Director of Business and Legal Operations. He brings an array of proven expertise in increasing revenue and generating processes and procedures that create lasting success and sustainability. Nabavi’s passion for helping emerging and established organizations to thrive has driven his career in both the public and private sectors. Among his significant previous positions, Nabavi worked for the District of Columbia in the Office of Contracting and Procurement, Department of Human Resources and the Executive Office of the Mayor. Previously, Nabavi practiced law at Dewey & LeBoeuf in New York, where he is still barred. Nabavi earned his J.D. from Barry University School of Law and a Bachelor’s of Science from Florida State University. He is a D.C. resident.

Delores M. Dickens, Administrative Assistant

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DeLores M. Dickens joined the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) in October 1997 as receptionist/assistant to the president. She was previously employed with the International Downtown Association as a receptionist and office assistant, the U.S. Information Agency as an office manager/clerk in the books program department and the Pax River Naval Air Station as an office clerk.

Christian Romero, Human Resources Manager

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Christian Romero is the BID’s Human Resources Manager, where he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Human Resources: global HR operations, compensation and benefits, employee safety, recruitment, hiring, and HR compliance. He has 10+ years of experience in all areas of Human Resources including talent engagement strategy, total rewards, performance management, employee wellness and safety, and employee training. Christian holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in International Economy and Labor Relations, and Human Resources. He loves that Human Resources can elevate the company’s success as a whole by fostering a positive culture and preparing employees with the right tools for success. Christian is native from Spain, and if you want to know which team he roots for - it's Real Madrid.

Jalal Chaoui, Payroll Manager

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Jalal Chaoui (Jay) is the Payroll Manager for the DowntownDC BID, where he is responsible for processing payroll and employee benefits. He previously served as the operations office manager for the SAM ambassadors where he oversaw office payroll and monitored equipment, uniforms, and supplies. Jay joined the BID in December 2001 with a background in hospitality. He served at the Marriott Hotels for 10 years as a staff accountant. He earned a degree in Physics from Rabat Science University in Morocco.

Tyrell Thomas, IT Associate

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Conducting computer diagnostics to investigate issues and resolve problems, Tyrell contributes his technological skills to the BID as IT Associate. Prior to his start in Jan. 2018 working to support the BID's Information Technology, Tyrell served as a Safety/Hospitality Ambassador from 2015-2017. Tyrell attended Coppin State University and the American Career Institute. He earned multiple certifications including Comptia A+ and Digital Networks. Tyrell has served organizations and entities including Men Giving Back, Safe Shores and Benning Park Recreation Center. In his free time, Tyrell enjoys traveling, sports and spending time with loved ones. Tyrell is a DC native.

Economic Development

Gerry Widdicombe
Director of Economic Development

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Gerry Widdicombe served as the BID’s Director of Economic Development from 2000-2017 and returned to the BID in 2018 to assume that role once again. From Dec. 2012-May 2014, Gerry served as Executive Director of the D.C. Tax Revision Commission. Previously, Gerry worked for the DC government in both the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (1999-2000) and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (1998-1999). Prior to that, Gerry worked as a financial consultant including at the FDIC and RTC during the savings and loan crisis of the early 1990’s. He spent 10 years working at Goldman Sachs in the 1980’s. Gerry is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Business School. Gerry currently serves on the following boards of directors: theatreWashington (Treasurer) and Greater Greater Washington (Treasurer). Gerry lives in Kalorama Triangle in DC.

Alex Cline, Economic Development Analyst

Michael Osaghae, Economic Development Researcher

Finance

Lulu Liu, Senior Accountant

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Lulu Liu serves as Senior Accountant for the DowntownDC BID, maintaining the organization's general ledger and preparing month-end close procedures, reconciling account balances and bank statements, documenting, monitoring internal controls to ensure compliance and preparing the budget. Lulu also assists with performing variance analyses and with financial and tax audits. Lulu joined the BID in Jan. 2005 with a background in accounting. She previously served as staff and senior account in various positions in the commercial and non-profit sectors and with government contractors. She has also served as an instructor in the Beijing Teacher Institute. Lulu holds a Master of Accounting degree from the University of Baltimore and a Bachelor's degree in Education from Beijing Normal University.

Innes Noel-Jeune, Staff Accountant

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Innes joined the BID in 2019 as a Staff Accountant with over 15 years of accounting-related management experience in various industries, including fashion, advertisement, social and medical. Innes served as chapter president for the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), leading his chapter to two national awards during his tenure. He has lived in several countries, including France and Canada. Innes loves classical and jazz music and plays alto saxophone in his free time. He earned a Master’s degree in Business Economics from Brooklyn College and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting at Medgar Evers College in New York. Innes is fluent in French and Creole.

Homeless Services

Debra Kilpatrick Byrd
Director of Homeless Services

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Debra Kilpatrick Byrd is the BID’s Director of Homeless Services responsible for the overall operations of the BID’s Downtown Day Services Center and comprehensive homeless outreach in the downtown area to include business and property stakeholder engagement. Debra possesses over two decades of program management, community outreach, government relations, program development and leadership. Having held several executive level positions, Debra has been responsible for several local and nationally successful homeless initiatives that specializes in non-profit program development, fund development, marketing, and overall operations. Debra has served on local and national health projects and panels. She offers a vast amount of expertise in low barrier and overnight shelter management, health disparity prevention, and mental health education through a multi-platform integrated approach to health education including public awareness campaigns and grassroots programming. Debra received her B.B.A. in Business Administration from Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. Her hobbies and interests include traveling, collecting antiques, volunteering and reading. She is drawn to and passionate about charitable organizations such as her church and nonprofits that assist underserved communities.

Michael Bunn, Lead Facilities Assistant

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Michael Bunn joined the BID in 2007 as a Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance (SAM) ambassador and in 2019 began working as a facility assistant for the Downtown Day Services Center (The Center). He currently lives in northeast DC and is studying urban agriculture at the University of the District of Columbia. He wishes to one day use his passion for gardening and sustainability to feed The Center’s many guests.

Jeremiah DeSousa, Facilities Assistant

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Jeremiah DeSousa began working as a facility assistant in 2019 when the Downtown Day Services Center opened. He previously served as the BID's Administrative Assistant as well as a BID Safety/Hospitality Ambassador. In previous roles, Jeremiah dedicated his time to the education and promotion of social justice and homeless outreach programs.

Lorenzo Sanders, Facility Assistant

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Known for his heart to serve, Lorenzo Saunders is a facilities assistant at the Downtown Day Services Center. Since joining the BID in 2016 as a Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance (SAM) ambassador, Lorenzo has been a zone cleaner, trash jumper and driver. He has a strong interest in business administration and attended the University of District of Columbia and Trinity college. He is a DC native and currently resides in the heart of southeast.

Montee "Angel" Saunders, Facility Assistant

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Montee “Angel” Sanders is a proud DC native who joined the BID in 2007 as a Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance (SAM) ambassador. In 2019, she transitioned into her current role as a facility assistant with the Downtown Day Services Center. Prior to working at the BID, Angel was a certified nursing assistant with the National Labor Relations Board. She resides in DC with her six children.

Famela Wolf, Facilities Assistant

Planning and Placemaking

Galin Brooks
Director of Planning and Placemaking

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Galin Brooks is the Director of Planning and Placemaking for the DowntownDC Business Improvement District. Galin previously served as the NoMa BID's Vice President, Planning and Economic Development, where she directed public space planning, public art, policy, and transit and transportation projects for the organization. Galin joined the DowntownDC BID in 2019 with 10 years of city planning experience. Her projects have included helping to secure over $50 million in funding to build new parks, bringing over 60 murals to the NoMa neighborhood of DC, a variety of streetscape and corridor studies, and over ten pop ups and placemaking activations. Galin holds a Master of Urban Planning from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and currently serves on the executive committees of the DC Sustainable Transportation Board and the Capital Trails Coalition.

Maria Espinoza, Planning Associate

Marketing & Communications

Emily Mooney
Director of Marketing and Communications

Remi Wallace, Events and Strategic Partnerships Manager

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In the effort to make DowntownDC the city’s premier destination, Remi develops exciting and creative opportunities to promote the DowntownDC brand and its visibility through public programming. Previously, Remi was Program Manager- External Relations at the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Remi holds a bachelor's degree in African American Studies from Howard University and has spent the majority of her professional career in arts management and hospitality in Washington, DC.

Narrean Marsden, Marketing and Communications Assistant

Public Space Operations

Gerren G. Price
Director of Public Space Operations

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Gerren G. Price brings to the BID more than 10 years of experience directing and supporting large-scale youth, workforce, and education programs and initiatives in the government and non-profit sectors. He joined the BID in 2018 from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, where he served as Senior Associate for National Community Strategies. Gerren began his career managing a national youth mentoring program before serving in several capacities in the District of Columbia Government beginning in the Office of the Chancellor for DC Public Schools (DCPS) where he served as Coordinator for Out-of-School Time Programs for secondary schools. He later served as Director of Programs at the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education. He also served as Program Manager for the Mayor Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) under the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) before he rose to hold the positions of Associate Director of the DOES Office of Youth Programs and Deputy Director of Youth Workforce Development. He also served as Deputy Director of Business Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and as the Interim Director for DOES. Throughout his professional career and personal life, Gerren has maintained an active leadership role in mentoring and tutoring, including through consultant support for DC workforce development company P.R.E.P., LLC, and work for the National Organization of Concerned Black Men and America Reads/America Counts. Gerren holds a BA in Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and an MS/MBA from the University of Maryland, University College. He lives in DC with his wife and two daughters.

Cecily Mendie , Franklin Park Manager

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Cecily Mendie brings to be the BID over 17 years of Parks and Recreation management. Prior to joining the BID, she served as an Area Manager with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, managing over staff and recreation centers in Wards 6, 7, and 8, before assuming the role of Senior Services Manager. Cecily is passionate about creating equitable park access, park sustainability, and increased opportunities for wellness. In her free time, Cecily enjoys traveling, the arts, and playing flag football. Cecily is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP).

Ellouise Johnson, Maintenance Services Manager

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Ellouise Johnson brings to the BID over 15 years of experience in project and facilities management. Her passion for projects, build outs and the scope of facilities infrastructure is evident from her managerial experience at CityCenterDC, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and KPMG. In her eight years with DPR she held many roles including managing over 198 trade staff and employees and overseeing the build out of pools, parks and playgrounds. As an Infrastructure and Facilities Manager at KPMG, Ellouise oversaw office build outs, inspections and managed over ten offices in several states. Ellouise is a talented multitasker with a can-do attitude. When she is not at the office, she can be found playing golf, rugby or basketball. She is on a triathlon team and loves football season.

Ebony Walton, Senior Operations Administrator

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Ebony Patrice Walton began serving in 2019 as the Senior Operations Administrator for the BID's Public Space Operations Department. Previously, she was the BID's marketing and communications manager where she developed and produced website, marketing and multimedia content, created promotional campaigns and strategies and conducted outreach to BID stakeholders. Ebony began her tenure at the BID as a marketing assistant. Over the years, Ebony has worked in various capacities at the BID and on many projects and events that included the Momentum Awards, State of Downtown, banner permitting, uniform brand standards and holiday decor. She earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast news from Howard University. Ebony has held several pageant titles such as Miss Black Florida USA, Miss Black USA and Miss Black World DC. Ebony grew up in Miami, Florida and now resides in Maryland with her husband and three children.

60+ Safety/Hospitality & Maintenance Ambassadors (SAMs), (See Below)

DowntownDC Foundation

Rachel Rose Hartman
Executive Director

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Rachel Rose Hartman is the founding Executive Director of the DowntownDC Foundation, the BID's 501(c)3 organization. The DowntownDC Foundation supports the BID's philanthropic efforts by enhancing service to the DowntownDC community through homeless services, park revitalization, public art and programming and public space improvements. Rachel previously served as the BID's Director of Interactive Marketing and Communications, where she directed marketing, events, branding and communications for the organization. Rachel joined the BID in Jan. 2014 with 10 years of political journalism experience. She previously held the positions of White House Reporter and Political Reporter for Yahoo News after covering several election cycles as a daily reporter for Congressional Quarterly. Her work has appeared in The Guardian, The Daily Beast and many additional publications and she served as a guest on national and local television and radio. Rachel holds a B.A. in print journalism from American University. Rachel was awarded a 2017 Emerging Leader Fellowship from the International Downtown Association. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the board of directors for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Rachel lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two sons.

Photo Credit SAMs walk in the 2019 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. Photo: Bob Rives.

safety/hospitality & maintenance

ambassadors

Supervisors

Ethel Frye, Maintenance Supervisor

Alfreda Mintah, Dispatch

Blanca Ramirez, Maintenance Supervisor

Crystal Saunders, Safety/Hospitality Supervisor

Dion Simmons, Safety/Hospitality Supervisor

Michael Williams, Maintenance Supervisor

Safety/Hospitality Team

Barron Avent-Bey, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Rayshawn Boseman, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Juvina Brown, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Mary Brown, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Marquez Clifford, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Alyce Easterling, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Claudell Epps, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

David Hall, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Linda Jeter, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Ronald Lloyd, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Okumu Oyoo, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Donna Riley, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Robert Toney, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Maintenance Team

Jose Tomas Avelar, Maintenance Team Member

Rico Bailey, Maintenance Team Member

Timothy Bolden, Maintenance Team Member

Bernard Bond, Maintenance Team Member

Michael Brown, Maintenance Team Member

Wayne Cain, Maintenance Team Member

Norma Canales, Maintenance Team Member

Lurie Carlton, Maintenance Team Member

Joe Cunningham, Maintenance Team Member

Rodolfo Custodio, Maintenance Team Member

Raymond Dantzler, Maintenance Team Member

Anthony Davenport, Maintenance Team Member

Keith Dorsey, Maintenance Team Member

Michael Franklin, Maintenance Team Member

Marcus Gethers, Maintenance Team Member

Nelson Giron, Maintenance Team Member

King Godi El, Maintenance Team Member

John Griffin, Maintenance Team Member

Tyrell Hale, Maintenance Team Member

DeMarco Head, Maintenance Team Member

Charles Jackson, Maintenance Team Member

James Jackson III, Maintenance Team Member

Ernest Johns, Maintenance Team Member

Manuel Loza, Maintenance Team Member

Jessie Marlow, Maintenance Team Member

Julio Martinez, Maintenance Team Member

Frank McCoy, Maintenance Team Member

Kevin McKinley, Maintenance Team Member

Julio Mendez, Maintenance Team Member

Quentin Murchison, Maintenance Team Member

Nicole Parker, Maintenance Team Member

Lakia Robinson, Maintenance Team Member

Roderick Robinson, Maintenance Team Member

Sarvelio Rodas, Maintenance Team Member

Rosa Rosales, Maintenance Team Member

Harold Royal, Maintenance Team Member

Lorenzo Sanders, Sr., Maintenance Team Member

Hector Segura, Maintenance Team Member

Lorine Simon, Maintenance Team Member

Jermaine Simpson, Maintenance Team Member

Charles Stroud, Jr., Maintenance Team Member

Gregory Timmons, Maintenance Team Member

Jaylon Whack, Maintenance Team Member

Famela Wolf, Maintenance Team Member

Phillip Wright, Maintenance Team Member

Marcus Young, Maintenance Team Member

Photo Credit Award presentation at the annual DowntownDC Momentum Awards.

board of

Directors

Board of Directors 2021 - Executive Committee

Gregory A. O’Dell, Chairman

President and Chief Executive Officer, Events DC

Michael McCarthy, Second Vice Chair

Vice President/Director of Acquisitions, Quadrangle Development Corporation

Scott Frisch, Treasurer

Chief Operating Officer, American Association of Retired Persons Federation

Donna Cooper, Secretary

Region President, PEPCO

Kingdon Gould III, Past Chair

Vice President, Gould Property Company

Matthew Klein, Past Chair

President, Akridge

Robert H. Braunohler, Member

Real Estate Development Consultant, RB Advisors LLC

Yeni Wong, Member

President, Riverdale International

Board of Directors 2021

Jeffrey Bank, Member

Chief Executive Officer, The Alicart Restaurant Group (Carmine’s)

Ann Chisholm, Member

District of Columbia Government Relations Officer, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Monica Dixon, Member

Chief Admin. Officer/President - External Affairs, Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Thomas E. Finan, Member

Managing Director, Trammell Crow Company

Shantelle George, Member

Vice President & General Manager, Macy's

Brian Grant, Member

1st Vice President, Equity Residential

Kathy Guy, Member

Vice President, JBG Smith

Thor C. Headley, Member

Managing Director, Hines

Norman Jemal, Member

Principal & Senior Vice President, Douglas Development Corporation

Chris Jennings, Member

Managing Director, The Shakespeare Theatre Company

Gregory Leinweber, Member

Area Director of Sales and Marketing, Kimpton Hotels Mid-Atlantic & SE

Eric Martino, Member

Chief Operations Officer, ThinkFoodGroup

Robin McClain, Member

Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Destination DC

John McDonnell, Member

CEO & President, Clyde's Restaurant Group

Jon “J.R.” Meyers, Member

Senior Partner, The Meyers Group LLC

Rev. Dr. Ianther M. Mills, Member

Senior Pastor - Asbury United Methodist Church

Wallace J. Mlyniec, Member

Lupo-Rici Professor of Clinical Legal Justice/Director, Juvenile Justice Clinic Georgetown University Law Center

Christopher P. Mundy, Member

Manager & Senior Vice President, Oxford Properties Group

Michael Murillo , Member

Vice President, Asset Management – US Office Division

Christopher Murphy, Member

Georgetown University, Vice President for Government Relations and Community Engagement

Peter Otteni, Member

Senior Vice President, Development - Boston Properties

Todd Payne, Member

Government Affairs Manager, Microsoft

Kim Sajet, Member

Director, National Portrait Gallery & Smithsonian Institution

Kenneth Schwartz, Member

Partner, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP

Gail Smith-Howard, Member

General Manager, Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill

Paul R. Tetreault, Member

Producing Director, Ford’s Theatre

Dean Violagis, Member

Vice President, Research, CoStar Group, Inc.

Matthew August, GSA Liaison

Director, Facilities Mgmt, PBS, NCR