After one year serving as director of Lake Orion’s Downtown Development Authority, Katie Zimmer is resigning her position to accept a new job in Chicago.
Her last day will be March 16. Her new position will be corporate sponsorship manager for a ‘large non-profit.?
Zimmer has a brother living in the Chicago area, so she said the city was a perfect fit.
‘My first job was in Washington DC,? she said. ‘I went to American University, and then to Kalamazoo College.?
Zimmer, a St. Clair native, currently lives in Shelby Township. She replaced Becky Goodman as Downtown Coordinator last April, after Goodman accepted a position in Petoskey.
Zimmer had interviewed for that same position, but found Petoskey winters were too much to handle. But from that experience she heard that Goodman’s position in Lake Orion was open.
‘At the time I was doing contract work with area chambers and DDAs,? Zimmer said. ‘I took over as Downtown Coordinator for Becky, and as DDA Director.?
Zimmer said her primary focus was to get the Downtown Lake Orion office in shape, and get everyone on track ‘as one group.?
‘I also wanted to get programs going, like facade improvement,? she said.
Zimmer said she has always been involved in politics, starting as a high school freshman, when she volunteered for David Bonior.
‘My first big job was for the International Center for Canadian-American Trade, under NAFTA, as a project manager,? she said. ‘I was also Director of Programs for Baker College.?
Before coming to Lake Orion, Zimmer also worked with the Paint Creek Center for the Arts, for Art and Apples in Rochester.
Zimmer said Lake Orion has a lot of great things going for it, such as sign grants and Hanson’s Running Shop coming to the Village. Another store will be opening downtown in April.
‘There is a waiting list for people who want to be downtown,? she said. ‘That’s a huge credit to the economic restructuring and the Business Neighbors meetings.?
Zimmer has met a lot of great people during her time in Lake Orion, and she said Nancy King, her last remaining staff member, has been doing an excellent job.
‘She’s been great,? Zimmer said of King.
Residents will continue to see changes downtown after Zimmer leaves.
‘We have new banners that are going up downtown,? she said. ‘That’s really exciting. Also, the Flower Fair is much more organized, and we are already half full for vendors.?
The first community guide will be coming out soon, and the historic tour book has been redone.
‘I don’t know who’ll be replacing me yet,? she said. ‘But they have to keep the promotions and events going. They have to tie downtown businesses into those events.?
‘Lake Orion has a lot of potential,? Zimmer added.