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Former Tempe Councilmember and longtime
south Tempe resident Pam Goronkin
has been named president and executive
director of Downtown Tempe Community
Inc., the action arm of the downtown
area’s economic development and
marketing efforts.
The selection followed a months’-long,
nationwide executive search. Goronkin
succeeds Rod Keeling, who
announced his retirement following 13
years with the organization.
Goronkin starts her new duties Oct. 23.
Until earlier this year, Goronkin served
as an elected member of the Tempe City
Council, chairing its Finance/Diversity,
Technology Advancement, Tourism and
Redevelopment subcommittees.
She was a member of the Community and
Economic Development Steering Committee
of the National League of Cities from
2003 to 2006, served two years as a
director of the East Valley
Partnership’s Economic Development
Committee, and was a Steering Committee
member for the new Tempe Center for the
Arts. She also served on the successful
1996 initiative campaign backing Tempe
Citizens for Transit.
Said Goronkin:
“I’m thrilled and honored to accept this
opportunity. I look forward to providing
leadership, along with the (DTC) Board,
in creating the roadmap for decision
making about how to prepare and position
the Mill Avenue District to compete
successfully in the region for our share
of technology, residential, retail and
entertainment development
opportunities.”
Mike Jennings, who chairs the
organization’s board of directors, said:
“Pam Goronkin brings an exciting
combination of leadership, knowledge and
strategic skills. She’s already known as
one of the most vocal champions of
business interests in our community.
“We look forward to working with her to
meet the significant development,
marketing and business challenges the
Mill Avenue District faces,” he said.
Goronkin had a 14-year career in
progressively demanding
administrative/management positions for
Motorola (now General Dynamics).
She was president and founding partner
of Abbey Gardens Inc. a successful
retail/restaurant business in Mesa, in
which she sold her interest in 2000.
According to municipal code, Goronkin is
precluded from Tempe City Council
lobbying until July 1, 2007, one year
following her previous council
membership.
DTC board members and senior staff are
prepared to step in during the interim.
She resides in Tempe with her husband,
Herbert.
Downtown Tempe Community Inc. is a
private, non-profit organization that
manages the Mill Avenue District and is
responsible for its cultural, lifestyle
and commerce endeavors. |
