Hiring new executive director is a top goal for downtown Pasco agency

The Downtown Pasco Development Authority hopes to announce a new executive director at this year’s Cinco de Mayo festivities.

The nonprofit organization has officially started its search for a new leader, three months after then-executive director Michael A. Goins was arrested for embezzlement.

Board president Jacob Gonzalez said a March 24 deadline will give the hiring committee six weeks to review applications, conduct interviews and secure an offer with the top candidate.

Then, on May 7, the board can introduce the person to the community as people fill downtown streets for the parade, bands and opening of the Pasco Farmers Market.

“I think that will be a great eye opener for whoever comes in, whether they’re from the community or they’re from two cities away or a time zone away,” Gonzalez told the Herald. “That’s a good first impression.”

The job opening was one of three short-term goals listed by board members during a Saturday retreat.

The organization — which oversees the Pasco Specialty Kitchen and Pasco Farmers Market — also is working to bring back the popular Food Truck Friday event by spring, and continuing the Mobile Vending University partnership with Columbia Basin College.

Gonzalez said the meeting serves as an annual assessment for the board. Members spent several hours identifying the deficiencies, challenges and positive aspects of the Downtown Pasco Development Authority.

Gonzalez noted that the all-volunteer board is dedicated and passionate, and it has increased engagement with the community and the support of the city of Pasco.

The overall goal of the agency is “to uplift the community. It’s to create a downtown not only that we want and dream of, but frankly that we all deserve,” he said.

The downtown core centers around Fourth Avenue and Lewis Street, but Gonzalez said it is important to remember the boundaries are larger than that.

“It’s not only about providing additional needed services for the businesses there, but it’s also reaching out to those that are outside and saying, ‘Hey, what would you like to have downtown?’ ” he said.

The downtown authority is paid for by the city of Pasco and a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant, along with donations from corporate and community members.

Last November, then-board president Mike Miller discovered that the executive director had been using the public agency’s money to cover his groceries, utilities at his Richland home, back child support and trips to visit his kids in New Jersey.

Goins, 36, is estimated to have taken at least $90,000 over two years. He has pleaded guilty to first-degree theft with aggravating circumstances and is awaiting sentencing once a state audit is done.

The board is looking for a new executive director to develop and implement a downtown revitalization program that includes the recruitment and retention of businesses, marketing and assistance for business owners.

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in business/public administration or planning and three years of experience in economic development and grants management. A person who is fluent in Spanish is desired, given the city’s Latino population.

A successful candidate will have to pass background, drug and credit checks.

The job posting and application is available on the city of Pasco website.

“This is an awesome job, and I think the person who takes this on will no doubt have quite a bit of challenges,” starting with the fact it is a nonprofit, Gonzalez said. “This will require someone who is passionate about community building and about community development. Everything from increasing pedestrian activity to increasing infrastructure investments for the city.”

In the long-term, Gonzalez said the board is focused on getting Tri-Citians to see the value of downtown Pasco.

“Anybody who is involved with downtown revitalization, no matter how far along they are in the process, knows it’s not easy,” he said. “It takes decades for downtowns to sort of deteriorate so it’s not going to fix in five years. That’s why engagement with the community has always got to be at the top of the list.”

The nine-member board currently has two openings. Members are interviewed and appointed by the Pasco City Council.

Rick White, Pasco’s community and economic development director, said the city has received a number of applications and is still accepting more.

This story was originally published March 5, 2016 at 7:58 PM with the headline "Hiring new executive director is a top goal for downtown Pasco agency."