Bethesda Urban Partnership Leader Leaving Post In August

BETHESDA, MD — Rick Ammirato, executive director of the Bethesda Urban Partnership, is stepping down.

The leader of the management company announced he will leave his post in August, according to a press release. He, however, did not say exactly when or why he is leaving.

Ammirato — who was previously the assistant city manager of Homestead, Florida — has led the Bethesda Urban Partnership since 2016.

"Downtown Bethesda has long been the engine of economic growth in the County and a jobs center, but just as important, it is an incredible place to live and raise a family," Ammirato said. "It has been a privilege to serve such a wonderful organization and community."

For those who are unfamiliar with the Bethesda Urban Partnership, the group functions similarly to a business improvement district. One of its primary goals is to promote the downtown Bethesda area through marketing campaigns and large-scale events. It also is responsible for landscaping and maintenance.

Since coming to the Bethesda Urban Partnership, Ammirato has overseen the five-year reauthorization of organization by the County Council and expanded events and programing in local parks, the organization said in a statement.

"Rick has done an excellent job navigating (the Bethesda Urban Partnership) through a significant time of transition for downtown Bethesda," Robert Donohoe, the organization's board chair, said. "We are thankful for Rick's service and greatly appreciate his contributions toward maintaining downtown Bethesda as a premier destination for commerce, residents and local businesses alike."

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.