About UsWho We Are

Who We Are

Photo Credit BID staff in Franklin Park.

Staff
Ambassadors
Board of Directors

Founded in 1997 as a private nonprofit place-management organization, the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) is a catalyst, facilitator, and thought leader in diversifying the economy, promoting public-private partnerships, and enhancing the downtown experience for all. We oversee a 138-block area of approximately 520 properties and numerous parks and public spaces, from Massachusetts Avenue NW on the north, including the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at Mount Vernon Square, to Constitution Avenue NW on the south, and from Louisiana Avenue NW on the east to 16th Street NW on the west.

Join the BID team: click here for current openings.

Are you with the media? Reach out to Braulio Agnese: braulio@downtowndc.org, (202) 341-2420.

Do you need information about or have questions regarding the BID’s events and activations? Send an email to events@downtowndc.org.

For all other questions and needs, please use the Contact Us form.
Read the BID's FY 2021 Annual Report

Our

Staff

Executive

Gerren G. Price
President & Chief Executive Officer

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Gerren Price brings to the DowntownDC BID more than 15 years of experience directing and supporting large-scale youth, workforce, and education programs and initiatives in the government and nonprofit sectors. He joined the BID as Director of Public Space Operations in 2018. Previously, he served as Senior Associate for National Community Strategies at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Gerren began his career managing a national youth mentoring program before serving in several capacities in the District of Columbia government, starting in the Office of the Chancellor for D.C. Public Schools, then later serving as Director of Programs at the Department of Parks and Recreation and as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education. At the D.C. Department of Employment Services, he rose to hold the positions of Associate Director of the DOES Office of Youth Programs and Deputy Director of Youth Workforce Development, and also served as Deputy Director of Business Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and as the agency’s Interim Director.

Nabavi Oliver
Chief Operating Officer

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Nabavi Oliver, Esq., is the BID’s Chief Operating Officer, responsible for day-to-day oversight with respect to the organization's operations and drive strategic initiatives to support the organization's overall growth and success. Prior to joining the BID, Oliver was the director of business and legal operations at EagleForce Associates and has excelled in multiple capacities with the D.C. government. His early career created a strong foundation for his current contributions at the cross-section of the nonprofit, government, and private sectors, helping him take a holistic approach to his work. Oliver has a bachelor of science in social science from Florida State University and a juris doctorate from Barry University School of Law.

Planning and Economic Development

Ella Faulkner
Vice President of Planning and Economic Development

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Ella Faulkner is responsible for improving, activating, and reimagining the public realm throughout the BID, including its 24 acres of parks and plazas, sidewalks, streets, alleys, gateways, and other open spaces. Previously, she served as Deputy Director of Administrative Services at the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) for almost four years. She joined DPR in 2010 as an urban planner and later served as Acting Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Director of Administrative Services and then Director of Capital Projects Planning and Design. Faulkner holds master’s degrees in architecture, regional and city planning as well as geographic and atmospheric sciences from the University of Oklahoma, and a bachelor’s degree in geography from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is an active member of the American Planning Association, Association of American Geographers, National Recreation and Park Association, and an executive leader through the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Ella is an accomplished watercolor artist and an avid traveler.

Gerry Widdicombe, Director of Economic Development

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Gerry Widdicombe served as the BID’s Director of Economic Development from 2000 to 2017 and returned to the BID in 2018 to assume that role once again. From December 2012 to May 2014, Gerry served as Executive Director of the D.C. Tax Revision Commission. Previously, Gerry worked for the D.C. 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 1990s. He spent 10 years working at Goldman Sachs in the 1980s. Gerry is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Business School. Gerry currently serves on the board of directors for theatreWashington.

Maria Espinoza, Planning Manager

Alex Davis, Planning Associate

Megan Schott, Planning Associate

Anna Charpentier, Planning and Placemaking Intern

Katherine Anderson, Economic Development Retail Fellow

Administration

Ebony Walton, Associate Director for Stakeholder Engagement

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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 and now resides in Maryland with her husband and three children.

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 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.

DeLores M. Dickens, Administrative Assistant

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DeLores M. Dickens joined the 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.

D'Mario Headen-Vance, IT Operations Manager

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As the Downtown BID's IT Operations Manager, D'Mario Headen-Vance oversees technology operations and systems functionality through a progressive lens in order to maximize availability and reliability of systems and networks, vendors, and service providers, and to improve efficiency and productivity for staff. Prior to joining the BID, D'Mario served as federal technical account manager at Dell Technologies and successfully evaluated and implemented new technologies and systems to improve the IT infrastructure and provide support to several federal accounts. D'Mario began his career in technology at the cross-sections of K-12 education, higher education, and the private sector, thus aligning him with a futuristic and creative approach to IT solutions. D'Mario obtained a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a minor in Forensic Science from the University of Maryland University College and an Associates of Applied Science in IT-Networking Specialist.

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 January 2018 working to support the BID's IT infrastructure, 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, he enjoys traveling, sports, and spending time with loved ones. Tyrell is a D.C. native.

Public Space Operations

Susan Hampton, Deputy Director of Public Space Operations

Alvin Amezquita, Senior Public Space Operations Manager

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 D.C. 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, Senior Special Projects 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 D.C. 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 and inspections, and managed more than 10 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.

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

Events & Partnerships

Melanie Nwosu
Director of Events & Partnerships

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As Director of Events and Partnerships, Melanie I. Nwosu is responsible for guiding the strategy and execution of all BID events, including public space activations across a range of scales, receptions, conferences, festivals, markets, and beyond. She will continue cultivating the relationships that have been established with the DowntownDC community as well as develop new partnerships while working on meaningful and common visions. Melanie is an event industry and client relationship veteran with over 20 years of professional industry experience. Her roles have included senior level and executive management positions for corporate, private, and non-profit organizations, most recently the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Her expertise includes event conceptualization and execution, production and logistics, project and team management, and partner and donor relationship cultivation. Her event productions have ranged from small, intimate soirees to macroscale convenings, locally, nationally, and internationally. During her career, she has curated events and has been commissioned for works for notable individuals and organizations including world leaders, supreme court justices, high-ranking military and federal government officials, and music and film personalities. When time allows, she lends her skills and advice to her local school board and various other charitable organizations within her community. Additionally, she is a founding member of Empower Her Empower Me, mother & daughter summit, where she continues to serve and volunteer as an advisor and mentor. Melanie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from Howard University and holds numerous event and meeting industry certifications and memberships.

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 D.C.

Tasha Stiger, Events and Strategic Partnerships Associate

Valencia Long, Events Manager

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, including 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 specialize in nonprofit 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 multiplatform 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 in Atlanta, Georgia. She was selected to serve among 19 members for the DC Mayor’s Commission on Poverty. 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 is a native Washingtonian and has worked at the BID since 2007, when he started as a SAM. He moved over to the Downtown Day Services Center as a Facilities Assistant when it opened in 2019. Michael loves gardening and traveling. Currently he is enrolled at the University of the District of Columbia, where he is focusing his studies on Urban Sustainability.

Montee "Angel" Saunders, Facilities Assistant

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Montee “Angel” Sanders is a proud D.C. 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 D.C. with her six children.

Famela Wolf, Facilities Assistant

Mark Smith, Facilities Assistant

Cheven Gaston, Facilities Assistant

Marketing and Communications

Braulio Agnese
Director of Marketing and Communications

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Braulio Agnese is the BID’s Director of Marketing and Communications and cultivates creative strategies for promoting the neighborhood and the organization to D.C.-area residents, workers, and visitors. In addition, Braulio oversees the BID’s brand across a variety of print and digital assets, manages communications efforts and media relations, and assists with events. With his passion for design, arts, and the written word, he has enjoyed a wide-ranging career, including helping launch Architect magazine (the American Institute of Architects’ official publication since 2011); raising awareness and support for the local nonprofit Dupont Underground, as well as envisioning and fostering the organization’s first art installation; and serving as the marketing and communications director at DowntownDC’s neighbor, the NoMa BID. A longtime District resident, Braulio moved into the city soon after receiving his Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree at St. John’s College, the nation’s third-oldest institution of higher education.

Narrean Marsden, Social Media Associate

Taylor Cogan, Content Writer Associate

Finance

Lulu Liu, Senior Accountant

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Lulu Liu serves as Senior Accountant for the 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 January 2005 with a background in accounting. She previously served as staff and senior account in various positions in the commercial and nonprofit 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.

Muhammed Vohra, Junior Accountant

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 501c3 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 January 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 other 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 D.C. with her husband and two sons.

Jana Krien, Development Operations Manager

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Jana Krien graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Biology in 2019. While there, she founded a nonprofit called Penn Period Project to provide menstrual products and health education to individuals experiencing homelessness in the Philadelphia area. By 2019, Penn Period Project was a registered 501(c)3 with over 100 members, had partnerships local businesses as well as CVS and Rite Aid, and served 5 homeless shelters in the area. She also co-authored a proposal with student government to provide free menstrual products on campus, which was then approved and enacted by the university. Jana was the Executive Director and Co-Captain of the entirely student-led dance team on campus, the Quaker Girls. She oversaw all team activities and philanthropy, including partnerships with GlobeMed, Relay for Life, and the Philadelphia 76ers. She was awarded a Senior Spotlight Award for Community Service in 2019.

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

Safety/Hospitality & Maintenance and Franklin Park

Ambassadors

Supervisors

Jose Tomas Avelar, Supervisor

Rene Diaz, Franklin Park Team Supervisor

Ethel Frye, Maintenance Supervisor

Cedric Johnson, Franklin Park Team Supervisor

Alfreda Mintah, Dispatch

Blanca Ramirez, Maintenance Supervisor

Crystal Saunders, Safety/Hospitality Supervisor

Michael Williams, Maintenance Supervisor

Safety/Hospitality Team

Alyce Easterling, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

LaShawn Hawkins, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Donna Riley, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Robert Toney, Safety/Hospitality Team Member

Maintenance Team

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

Rodolfo Custodio, Maintenance Team Member

Raymond Dantzler, Maintenance Team Member

Anthony Davenport, Maintenance Team Member

John Davis, Maintenance Team Member

Marcus Gethers, Maintenance Team Member

Nelson Giron, Maintenance Team Member

Tyrell Hale, Maintenance Team Member

Manuel Loza, Maintenance Team Member

Julio Martinez, Maintenance Team Member

Frank McCoy, Maintenance Team Member

Kevin McKinley, Maintenance Team Member

Malik McSwain, Maintenance Team Member

Julio Mendez, Maintenance Team Member

Phillip Mitchell, Maintenance Team Member

Justin Monroe, Maintenance Team Member

Rosa Rosales, Maintenance Team Member

Harold Royal, Maintenance Team Member

Lorine Simon, Maintenance Team Member

Jermaine Simpson, Maintenance Team Member

Charles Stroud, Jr., Maintenance Team Member

Phillip Wright, Maintenance Team Member

Edward Taylor, PT Ambassador / Weekend Services

Michael Johnson, PT Ambassador / Weekend Services

board of

Directors

Board of Directors FY 2023 — Executive Committee

Gerren Price, President

Executive Director, DowntownDC BID Corporation

Michael McCarthy, Chairman

Vice President/Director of Acquisitions, Quadrangle Development Corporation

Matthew Klein, First Vice Chair

President, Akridge

Christopher Mundy, Treasurer

Manager/Senior Vice President, Oxford Properties

Shantelle George, Secretary

Senior Director/Store Manager, Macy's Metro Center Downtown DC

Scott Frisch, Member

Chief Operating Officer, American Association of Retired Persons Foundation

Kingdon Gould III, Past Chair

Vice President, Gould Property Company

Yeni Wong, Member

President, Riverdale International

Board of Directors FY 2023

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 Finan, Member

Managing Director, Trammell Crow Company

Brian Grant, Member

1st Vice President, Equity Residential

Thor Headley, Member

Managing Director, Hines, Columbia Square

Norman Jemal, Member

Principal/Senior Vice President, Douglas Development Corporation

Chris Jennings, Member

Managing Director, Shakespeare Theatre Company

Eric Martino, Member

Chief Operations Officer, Jose Andres ThinkFoodGroup

Robin McClain, Member

Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Destination DC

John McDonnell, Member

President, Clyde's Restaurant Group

Marshall McNair, Member

Vice President, Asset Management, US Ofc. Div., Brookfield Properties

J.R. Meyers, Member

Senior Partner, The Meyers Group LLC

Rev. Dr. Ianther Mills, Member

Senior Pastor, Asbury United Methodist Church

Wallace Mlyniec, Member

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

Pete 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

Paul Tetreault, Member

Producing Director, Ford’s Theatre

Dean Violagis, Member

Senior Vice President, Portfolio Research, CoStar Group, Inc.

Matthew August, GSA Liaison

Director, Facilities Mgmt. & Services Program Division, PBS, NCR

Chase Rynd, Past Chair