MAYOR PEREZ NAMES

ACTING DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

---NEWS RELEASE---

(October 22, 2007)--- Mayor Eddie A. Perez is pleased to announce that Mark K. McGovern, the City’s Director of Economic Development, will serve as the Acting Director of Development Services effective November 9^th, replacing John Palmieri who is taking a similar position in Boston.

Mayor Perez says, “Mark has been a valuable member of John’s team and I am confident he will continue the progress that the department has made.  As we conduct a national search to find a permanent Director, Mark and other members of the leadership team in Development Services will maintain the high level of service to the community that our residents have grown to expect.  I want to thank Mark for his willingness to take on this challenge and ask all of you to join me in welcoming him to this new position.”

Mr. McGovern was hired as the Director of Economic Development in July of 2005, following the restructuring of the City’s Department of Development Services.  In this role, Mr. McGovern manages the division’s day-to-day operations, including a staff working on retail, as well as corporate and neighborhood development projects throughout the City.  He played a key role in the development of the City’s new Marketing DVD, designed to attract new businesses, recruit talent and visitors, and increase development in the Capital City.

Previous to this, Mr. McGovern was the Acting Executive Director of the Hartford Economic Development Commission, which he joined in April of 2000.  Prior to HEDC, he was Director of Business Recruitment for the State of Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development.