Minneapolis Mayor Rybak names MCDA interim executive director. Please click on the link or scroll down to read the news release being distributed today. http://www.mcda.org/whats_new/Newsreleases/Lutz_named.htm
January 23, 2002 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Elizabeth Haugen MCDA Communications (612) 673-5121 TTY: (612) 673-5154 #02-02 MAYOR APPOINTS MCDA INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (MINNEAPOLIS) - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has named Chuck Lutz as the MCDA's interim executive director. Lutz is currently the Minneapolis Community Development Agency (MCDA) deputy director of Special Initiatives. Outgoing MCDA Executive Director Steve Cramer says he will work closely with Lutz until he takes the position, effective pending City Council approval February 1. "Chuck's experience, dedication and energy give me every confidence in his ability to help the MCDA through this transition period," said Mayor Rybak. "I look forward to the challenge; I look forward to working with the staff here," said Lutz. A resident of the Northrop neighborhood in south Minneapolis, Lutz has a long history of working for the city. In 1986 he joined the MCDA as a project manager in downtown development. He went to work for the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) in 1991 as manager of Section 8 programs, then as director of operations and as director of projects, where he spearheaded implementation of the Hollman vs. Cisneros Consent Decree. As implementation responsibilities grew, he took on the Heritage Park redevelopment (formerly Near Northside) as his primary focus of activity primarily because of his development experience. In 1998 he joined the City Coordinator's staff, while continuing to focus on the Heritage Park redevelopment. In 2000 he returned to the MCDA, where he continued to direct the Heritage Park redevelopment and took on the implementation of the Upper River Master Plan. Lutz holds an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of St. Thomas and a B.A. in Economics, Sociology and Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota. The future structure of the MCDA is under examination as it undergoes an initiative along with the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program, the Minneapolis Planning Department and other city departments and agencies to streamline their services and align their functions more directly. Yesterday the mayor announced that he had engaged the pro bono services of consulting firm McKinsey & Company to assist with this process. "I recognize the work Steve Cramer has done in remarkably complex times," said Mayor Rybak. "I have immense respect for him and expect he will continue to have an important role in the direction the city takes." Mayor Rybak has also asked MCDA Deputy Director Keith Ford to continue playing a special role at the state legislature during the particularly difficult discussions ahead. The Minneapolis Community Development Agency (MCDA) is the housing and economic development arm of the City of Minneapolis. The MCDA buys and sells land, assists small businesses, promotes home ownership, and provides financing and other resources for a wide range of business and residential property developments. Access to MCDA programs for Minneapolis residents who speak limited English is available through Minneapolis Multicultural Services. Interpretation services are currently provided in Somali and Spanish. Somali liaison: Deka Yusuf (612) 673-3500 Spanish Liaison: Susan Fuentes, (612) 673-2700 For more information, call the Minneapolis Community Development Agency at (612) 673-MCDA (612-673-6232) or visit us on the Web at www.mcda.org. ### Elizabeth Haugen, Communications Minneapolis Community Development Agency 105 5th Ave. S., Suite 200 Minneapolis MN 55401-2534 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] (612) 673-5121 _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
