FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For media inquiries:
Marlee Pittman
Director of Community Relations
marlee@midcityredevelopment.org
(225)590-0521
Mid City Redevelopment Alliance Announces the Departure of Its Long-Time Executive Director
Baton Rouge, La. — May 24, 2020 — Samuel Sanders, executive director of Mid CityRedevelopment Alliance (MCRA) will leave the organization at the end of June. His resignation comes after 18 years of service, first as the Home Ownership Center Manager and then 15 years as the Executive Director, succeeding Perry Franklin (1997 to 2006) and Elizabeth “Boo”Thomas (1991 to 1996). Sanders will be relocating to Virginia where he will serve as the Deputy City Manager of Operations for the City of Charlottesville.
“I have, and will continue to be, so very honored to have been a part of the effort to revitalizeMid City for the past 18 years,” Sanders said. “MCRA this year is celebrating 30 years of shepherding the work that has led to a flourishing community. We have successfully demonstrated that comprehensive community development can produce a quality of place in diverse neighborhoods.”
During Sanders’ long tenure, the organization has grown and changed to meet the needs of the heart of our city. Most notably, Sanders secured a NeighborWorks America charter for the organization, bringing hundreds of thousands of dollars to Baton Rouge for affordable housing and community development. He led an award-winning Home Ownership Center; built, partnered, and supported the creation of new affordable housing in Mid City; secured the MidCity Cultural District designation in partnership with the Mid City Merchants Association; and served at the request of multiple mayors on community-wide initiatives like the FuturEBR Implementation Team.
“Sam has helped this organization grow and thrive for nearly two decades,” said Theo Richards, MCRA Board President. “He leaves a legacy of good works and a very capable and dedicated team to continue the important work of revitalizing Mid City neighborhoods through planning, preserving homeownership, building affordable housing, educating homebuyers, empowering residents, and creating a sense of community.”
Ashley Orphe, MCRA's Director of Operations has agreed to serve as Interim ExecutiveDirector effective June 1st. The Board is forming a search committee, supported by BatonRouge General’s Human Resources Department to begin the process of finding a permanentExecutive Director.
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