ADDA Board Narrows Field to Two for Directorship

Most of this information comes from a press release:

the Athens Downtown Development Authority board has chosen Shannon Logan and Pamela Thompson as the finalists for its executive director position. 

Ms. Logan is currently the Service Excellence Coordinator for Murfreesboro, Tenn. A planner and paralegal with a master’s degree in public administration, Ms. Logan has more than 13 years of experience working to improve communities through planning and economic development.

While in Murfreesboro, she has shared responsibility for supervising more than 950 employees with the City Manager and Assistant City Manager. She has worked closely with the city’s downtown business leaders to manage growth and coordinate relationships with Middle Tennessee State University and its 23,000 students. She has also helped lead the city’s employee training efforts. Ms. Logan oversees all of the city’s capital projects. Additionally, she helped initiate and manage the city’s Gateway project, which generated millions of dollars of new investment for the community while adhering to high-quality design guidelines.

Ms. Logan has also held planning positions in Gallatin and Brentwood, Tenn.  She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky in 1997, and her master’s degree from Tennessee State University in 2004.

Ms. Thompson was most recently Deputy County Manager for Planning, Capital and Special Projects in Prince George's County, Va. She worked closely with the county in its efforts to recruit Rolls-Royce and served as the county’s Public Information Officer and public relations liaison. Prior to her time in Prince George's County, she was assistant county administrator and planning director for Lee County, Ga. She has also held senior positions in administration, economic development and planning in Powder Springs and Roswell. 

For the past year, Thompson has lived in Athens to help with her father's sickness. She holds an undergraduate degree from Mercer University (1997) and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Georgia Southern University (1998).  She holds an AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) designation and has completed the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. 

“Both candidates have deep experience in economic development, community development and planning, and we want to give them the opportunity to visit the community and meet with our staff, leaders, and downtown property and business owners,” said ADDA Board Chair Bill Overend. 

Current Executive Director Kathryn Lookofsky requested in December that her contract not be renewed at the end of its June 30 term. Lookofsky and her successor will work together to ensure an effective transition.

The board will take final action on the executive director position at a future meeting.