By Pam G. Dempsey
Friday, May 18, 2007 10:30 AM CDT
DANVILLE – Downtown Danville Inc. has a new director.
Rachael E. Dietkus will join Downtown Danville Inc. as its new executive director Monday. She replaces Michelle Blanchard, who served for six years. Blanchard resigned in March before
moving to join her husband in Louisiana.
Dietkus is a 2000 graduate of the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in sociology and served as program director and director of development with University YMCA in Champaign. She has also been a delegate to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland and as a commissioner for City of Urbana Human Relations Commission.
The Danville native and Danville High School graduate said she became intrigued with Downtown Danville Inc. after researching it when she came across the job posting. She wasn't looking for a new job, she said, but thought it would work well to find a position in the place where she lived.
Dietkus has been a violinist since she was 10 years old and said she plans to use her musical experience to satisfy the community's desire for more art and music.
She said she would like to expound on all genres of music and introduce events such as art festivals and musical festivals that draw beyond an evening concert.
"I'm so lucky," Dietkus said. "I'm finally able to focus on an area I feel I often neglect because I'm working." Dietkus said she also wants to build on what former director Blanchard has done during the past six years, such as bringing more businesses to the downtown area.
"I could not have asked for a better environment," Dietkus said. Board President Debbie Roberts said there were between 15 and 20 applicants for the job.
"Rachael possesses varied and unique experience in areas of financial development, project initiation, management, and implementation. She also has a strong background in research, public speaking, and working with volunteers, committees and boards," Roberts stated in a press release.
"We feel that Rachael has the qualifications and creativity, as well as the energy and enthusiasm, to continue the momentum of Downtown Danville Incorporated."
3 comments:
Say there, Schmusic guys, I've been really busy this week, mostly hanging out with THE REAL DICK JUSTICE! He's so nice and cool, and he chuckles from time to time, and he spins a good yarn too. And his wife is funny and sweet, FOR REAL. So you can stop worrying about Dick Justice slipping down the chimney at night to steal all your Christmas presents and your who-feast. He's too busy being cool and hanging out with me! HA HA HA!
Hey everybody! Have I mentioned that I know Dick? The REAL Dick. The REAL DICK JUSTICE! Yeah, we've been hanging out a lot this week, chuckling about old times, catching a show or two, giving passersby a rough time about the alphabet (we're just playing!) Anyway, you don't have to worry about him sliding down your chimney on Christmas Eve to steal every last bit of bread and tinsel. He's totally awesome, and you're not on his shit list!
I hope you approve my second comment (or was it the third) rather than any previous comments I might have sent and then thought I didn't sent BECAUSE I CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO READ THE LINE AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE SAYING COMMENTS AWAIT APPROVAL! Duh! That's blonde highlights for ya!
Post a Comment