Bethesda Urban Partnership Announces New CEO

BETHESDA, MD — Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP), a downtown management group, has a new CEO.

Jeff Burton is taking over for Rick Ammirato, who stepped down as CEO of the organization last month. Ammirato announced he was leaving his post in August, but did not say why he was leaving. He was the assistant city manager of Homestead, Florida, before he was picked to manage BUP in 2016.

While the company searched for new leadership, Burton served as interim executive director. He has more than 25 years of downtown management experience, according to BUP officials.

Burton started working for BUP as a field operations supervisor in 1994. Four years later, he was hired to work for the Silver Spring Urban District, where he trained and oversaw the urban district maintenance staff.

Burton retuned to BUP in 2000 and served as the Director of Field Operations until 2008. During his tenure, Burton has worked in all aspects of field operations including planning, budgeting, and oversight of maintenance and improvement projects, according to officials.

"Jeff has done an excellent job during his tenure with the Bethesda Urban Partnership. He is a dedicated and longstanding employee with a vision for the future," BUP Board Chair Deborah Michaels said. "We are excited for the next chapter of our organization, the future of downtown Bethesda and the continued success of our community under Jeff's leadership."

Established by Montgomery County in 1994, the Bethesda Urban Partnership is a downtown management organization that is operated by a Board of Directors. The 11-member board is comprised of residents, businesses, and developers appointed by the county executive.

The team works in marketing, maintenance, transportation, and administration to facilitate community-wide events and address landscaping and maintenance needs in downtown Bethesda, the group said.