TOMS RIVER, NJ- Feb. 5-- Downtown Toms River (TRBID) has retained a local community development consultant to serve as its interim executive director.
"I am pleased to report that our Business Improvement District has retained Michael Redpath, a long-time Toms River resident and leader in tourism and community development in New Jersey, to guide us through the period between the resignation of our prior Executive Director and retaining a replacement," announced Frank Capone, Chairman of the Downtown Toms River Board of Directors. The BID's Board of Directors retained an interim executive in order to re-evaluate its management needs and processes, refocus on its mission, and continue to grow in service to its membership.
Redpath has been on the New Jersey and Ocean County economic development and tourism scene since being stationed at Navy Lakehurst as a public affairs specialist in the late sixties. After release from the Navy, Redpath formed a consulting company that served organizations as diverse as the Marine Trades Association of New Jersey, New Jersey Amusement Association, New Jersey Offshore Powerboat Racing Association, and the ACORA community service organization in Atlantic City.
Most recently, Redpath served nearly six years as Director of Public Affairs for the Borough of Seaside Heights, where he carried out many of the functions of a BID before being involved in the creation of that town’s BID. He left Seaside Heights in late 2000 to form Redpath and Associates LLC, a firm that consults with communities and community organizations.
Redpath is on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council and chairs that groups’ Cultural and Tourism Committee. He is also on the Board of Directors of Downtown New Jersey and chairs that organization's Government Affairs Committee. Redpath has also been a participant and presenter for a number of Downtown New Jersey's Downtown Business Advisory Teams, including the one that surveyed downtown Toms River. He is chairing the Program Committee for the New Jersey Governor's Conference on Tourism for the second consecutive year. Redpath will be teaching the Certificate in Customer Service course at Ocean County College that begins March 2.
Downtown Toms River was established by township ordinance in late 2002 and began functioning formally in July 2003. A business improvement district is a tool for revitalizing a specific business area within a community. Through the municipality, the businesses in that defined area levy an assessment on themselves to support a professional organization to manage the area's economic revitalization and health. Downtown Toms River is bordered by the Toms River, the Garden State Parkway, Hooper Avenue, and the south side of Route 37. TRBID activities include many Downtown Toms River events, including Cruisin’ Downtown 2004, the Chili & Salsa Cook-off and a new VIP card that offers shoppers discounts from participating BID businesses. More information regarding the BID and its activities can be obtained by calling 732-341-8738 or visiting the BID’s web site at www.DowntownTomsRiver.com.
