After months of searching high and low, the Oxford Downtown Development Authority finally selected a new director during a special meeting Monday night.
Carolyn E. Bennett, the previous DDA director and Main Street manager for Portland, Michigan, was the board’s unanimous choice, according to DDA Chairman Kevin Stephison.
‘Quite honestly, she stood out head and shoulders above everyone else during the interview process,? he said. ‘She came highly recommended by the people that she’d worked with.?
The DDA received approximately 55 resumes for the director’s position vacated by Amanda Cassidy in August 2006.
Stephison said Bennett’s ‘background and experience with economic development? combined with her ‘good grasp of the Main Street program? and impressive work ethic made her the perfect fit.
Even though Bennett started work today, her hiring must still be approved by the village council at its Jan. 23 meeting. A salary has not yet been set.
‘We are negotiating,? Stephison said. ‘It will be between $45,000 and $49,000.?
A resident of Laingsburg in Shiawassee County, Bennett said she’s excited to be working for a community whose Main Street efforts are considered to be an example for others to follow.
‘Oxford is seen as a model by the National Trust (Main Street Center) and that’s not true of very many communities,? she said. ‘Oxford got its certification (as a Main Street community) in one year, which is very unusual.?
Bennett first heard of Oxford at a training session offered through the state. A representative from the National Trust Main Street Center ‘used Oxford as an example of a really great program.?
‘When the opportunity arose for me to apply for this position, I thought what a great place to be ? it’s the model,? she said. But Bennett isn’t looking to come to town and radically change the DDA or its Main Street efforts.
‘I think Oxford has a great program already,? she said. ‘I think I have the right mix of experiences to enhance what’s already there. I just want to make it better, kind of move it up the ladder.?
Her initial impression of the community was a very positive one.
‘I was in Oxford for the very first time in November and I was struck by how beautiful it is and how interesting the downtown is,? she said. ‘You have kind of the urban mix in a rural setting.?
Backed by 24 years of experience in state and local government, Bennett comes to Oxford with a passion to serve others. ‘I chose to do public service and I consider it a privilege,? she said. ‘I like to serve people and I like to make things better, particularly when it comes to redevelopment efforts.?
As the community and economic development administrator for East Lansing from 1999-2004, Bennett spearheaded a $30 million redevelopment project which turned two vacant department store buildings into a Barnes & Noble bookstore, retail establishments, condominiums and a new parking structure.
‘Community redevelopment is really where my heart lies,? she said. ‘And it’s what I would like to do with the rest of my life.?
Prior to working for Portland and East Lansing, Bennett spent 10 years working in various positions for what is now called the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.
‘I worked very diligently for the state and was very successful in doing economic development,? she said.
She also spent two years with the Michigan Department of Transportation in the real estate division doing things like performing appraisals on land it acquired.
Although Bennett hasn’t kept her appraiser status active, ‘I’m familiar enough to know if somebody is giving us a good appraisal or not a good appraisal.?
Before beginning her career with the state, she worked as DDA director for Clio, her hometown, from 1983-85.
Outside work, Bennett is active in her church and does volunteer work with the American Red Cross such as organizing local blood drives and helping with disaster relief.
After Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, she spent a month at the Reliant Astrodome in Houston, Texas ‘providing comfort and security? to evacuees.
‘I worked mostly with children, (providing) day care and passing out children’s books, coloring stuff, anything that would help bring a sense of (normalcy) back to their lives,? Bennett said.
In June 2006, she helped clean out two houses damaged by the hurricane while attending a national Main Street conference in New Orleans.
At home, Bennett enjoys spending time with her cat, Honey.

ments, condominiums and a new parking structure.
‘Community redevelopment is really where my heart lies,? she said. ‘And it’s what I would like to do with the rest of my life.?
Prior to working for Portland and East Lansing, Bennett spent 10 years working for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development in various positions.
‘I worked very diligently for the state and was very successful in doing economic development,? she said.
She also spent two years with the Michigan Department of Transportation in the real estate division doing things like performing appraisals on land the department acquired.
Although Bennett hasn’t kept her appraiser status active, ‘I’m familiar enough to know if somebody is giving us a good appraisal or not a good appraisal.?
Before beginning her career with the state, she worked as DDA director for Clio, her hometown, from 1983-85.
Outside work, Bennett is active in her church and does volunteer work with the American Red Cross ranging from organizing local blood drives to helping with disaster relief.
After Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, she spent a month at the Astro Dome in Houston, Texas ‘providing comfort and security? to evacuees.
‘I worked mostly with children, (providing) daycare and passing out children’s books, coloring stuff, anything that would help bring a sense of (normalcy) back to their lives,? Bennett said.
In June 2006, she helped clean out two houses damaged by the hurricane while attending a national Main Street conference in New Orleans.
At home, Bennet enjoys spending time with her cat, Honey.