Lonergan: I'm Doing My Homework First

Tom Lonergan is ready get started.

Soon.

Sure, he's on the job, at his desk on the second floor of City Hall. His first day was Sept. 30.

But what he's going to do with that $2 million fund set aside by city leaders two years ago? He doesn't know.

What's his first move as Gaithersburg's new Economic Development Director?

"There are a lot of conversations I need to have with businesses and city leaders to see what's on their minds" he said. "It's also to help me to prioritize where to invest time and treasure over the next year."

Before coming to Gaithersburg, Lonergan spent eight years as the president of the .

Gaithersburg had to advertise the position twice, and Lonergan accepted it after City leaders upped the salary to about $100,000.

“We conducted two exhaustive national searches to find just the right fit for Gaithersburg, and Tom became a clear choice as a result of that process,” said City Manager Angel Jones in a statement.  “We were impressed with his experience in managing downtown revitalization efforts in several very challenging environments, and believe that his collaborative and creative approach will serve this community well.”

And for all the effort to bring him to the city, Lonergan is happy to be here.

"[Gaithersburg] is uniquely situated," he said, noting the city's rich mix of commercial districts, its proximity to transit and a major metropolitan area, and its "room to grow."

The city—like many others—promises a lot. But unlike many others, it actually delivers.

"That's one of the reasons I took this job."

The greatest similarity between his previous job as President of the Montclair Business Improvement District and his new post, he says, is "representing business."

Lonergan relocated his family, which includes a one-month old son, to the Lakelands community in September. He hopes once his job and home-life resume normal patterns, he can indulge his hobbies: hiking and bowling.

But for now he's spending his time getting to know the city, its leaders, and how it works.

There are plenty of operational differences between Gaithersburg and Montclair, including one that has been an issue in the ongoing council race: the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance.

"It's relatively new to me," he said of the law, which limits new residential development to a pace that doesn't overcrowd schools and overburden sewers, roads and fire and rescue. "I'm learning more about it day by day."

He added that it puts a set of parameters on the main function of his job.

"I may, perhaps, be looking at ways it could be improved," he said.

But for now, Lonergan is focused on laying the groundwork for all of his work here in the city.

"Right now I'm meeting all the players, doing my homework, and identifying initiatives that will have a net positive effect on the city."