Gene Merritt Named New Board President for WDI

Release Date: Tuesday, July 1st 2008

GENE MERRITT NAMED NEW BOARD PRESIDENT for WILMINGTON DOWNTOWN, INC.

For Immediate Release
July 1, 2008

WILMINGTON, NC – Gene Merritt, has been named Board President of Wilmington Downtown for the 2008-2009 year, effective today, July 1, 2008.  As a downtown Wilmington developer, Merritt has been actively involved with Wilmington Downtown, Inc. since its inception 31 years ago, as he is one of the original founder’s of the organization.  Merritt has served as Executive Director of Wilmington Downtown, Inc. when it was still known as the Downtown Area Revitalization Effort (D.A.R.E.).  Wilmington Downtown looks forward to an exciting year with Merritt heading up the Board as he brings a passion and dedication to downtown that is second to none and will provide an invaluable asset to the organization.

“We are excited about having Gene at this time in downtown’s history.  Much of downtown’s historic character has been preserved, and now we move forward to an extended phase of infill development.  Gene’s experience with historic preservation and economic development will be a great catalyst for the leadership role this organization has traditionally championed” said John Hinnant, Executive Director.

Wilmington Downtown, Inc. is led by a Board of Directors consisting of 37 active members in the community from designated fields, including 15 slots for at-large members of the community. 

2008-2009 Board of Directors: