Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) is proud to announce the hire of Mark Miller as Managing Director of Planning & Design.

After an extensive search process, Mr. Miller’s background, urban planning and design experience and passion for city building emerged as an excellent fit with DGRI.

Mr. Miller will serve as DGRI’s Managing Director of Planning & Design. Mr. Miller previously served as Urban Designer, Planner & Architect with Nederveld. Mr. Miller has focused over 15 years of his career on urban design solutions and planning activities in the Grand Rapids region, with an emphasis on city building and urbanism.

“We are very excited to have Mark join the DGRI team,” DGRI President & CEO Tim Kelly said. “His dedication to growth in Grand Rapids and passion to implement innovative solutions in the public realm made him the ideal candidate to spearhead various GR Forward implementation efforts.”

Mark Miller, Managing Director of Planning & Design
Mark Miller, Managing Director of Planning & Design

DGRI also recently conducted a series of promotions effective immediately.

  • Megan Catcho – A long-term DGRI intern, now serves as Event Coordinator
  • Rebecca Krenz – After serving the Downtown Ambassadors as Operations Supervisor since December of 2013, Ms. Krenz now serves as Operations Manager
  • Jared Siangani – Previously served the Downtown Ambassadors as 3rd Shift Team Leader, he now serves as Operations Supervisor
  • Kim Van Driel – After serving DGRI for 5 years as Special Events Manager now serves as the Director of Public Space Activation

DGRI is the organization responsible for city building and place-management in the City of Grand Rapids’ urban core. Established in 2013, DGRI serves as the singular management entity for the combined operations of the Downtown Development Authority, the Downtown Improvement District and the Monroe North Tax Increment Finance Authority.

Recent hires to DGRI and the Downtown Ambassador staff brings the number of team members to 27 - 18 Downtown Ambassadors and 9 organizational management staff - leading the DGRI operation. DGRI aspires to build an organizational staff and leadership network that reflects the diversity of Grand Rapids. DGRI's staff is now composed as follows:

Gender

  • 48% Male (49% citywide)
  • 52% Female (51% citywide)

Race

  • 55% white (59% citywide)
  • 22% black (21% citywide)
  • 14% Hispanic/Latino (16% citywide)
  • 7% Asian/Pacific Islander (2% citywide)

Age

  • 33% 20-24
  • 29% 25-34
  • 18% 35-44
  • 18% 45-54

Sexual Orientation

  • 96% heterosexual
  • 3% LGBTQ

Place of Residence

  • 74% within City of Grand Rapids
  • 26% outside of City of Grand Rapids