BSD reviewing resumes for vacant position

By Lisa Brody

Forty-three candidates have submitted applications for the now-vacant executive director position of the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD), board President Geoffrey Hockman informed fellow board members at their monthly board meeting on Thursday, February 4.

The 43 candidates submitted their applications by the end of day Friday, January 29, the deadline imposed for the position, which came open after former executive director Ingrid Tighe tendered her resignation at the December board meeting after she accepted a job as economic development director for Oakland County. Her last day with the BSD was December 31, 2020.

Hockman told board members the city of Birmingham's human resources department was very positive about the quality of the resumes that were submitted by the applicants. 

The review and hiring process was laid out for board members, which will including the review of the 43 resumes, and then contacting applicants by phone. The field will be narrowed down to a 10 to 12 applicants, and after further phone contacts, face-to-face interviews will be held with five to seven applicants. The field will then be narrowed down to two to three finalists, and a recommendation will then be made to the board of directors, Hockman explained.

He said the entire process could take up to 90 days, but he hoped a decision could be made in 60 days.

The BSD is funded through a special assessment on all commercial, non-residential property in areas of downtown and other business districts of Birmingham. The executive director works with  merchants, business owners, retailers, landlords, and commercial real estate brokers. 

While the director position is vacant, Hockman is in regular contact with exisiting staff members so that normal operations of the BSD continue.