ANTIOCH, Calif. – City Manager Ron Bernal announced the hiring of Kwame Reed as Antioch’s new Economic Development Director. Currently the Senior Analyst for Economic Development in Brentwood, California, Reed will start his new role with Antioch on July 2, 2018.
Reed brings over 20 years of professional experience in local and regional government agencies, with roles that include planning, redevelopment, affordable housing, project management and economic development. He is FY2018/19 Chairman of the East Bay Economic Development Alliance.
City Manager Ron Bernal stated, “Quality jobs, redeveloping underperforming properties and a vibrant downtown are important to our community. This newly created position shows just how serious the City Council is about economic development. Kwame is familiar with our region and it’s unique opportunities and challenges. His strong interpersonal skills will be key to retaining and attracting businesses and employers. Kwame and our Economic Development Project Manager Lizeht Zepeda will make a powerhouse team.”
8 comments
“Quality jobs, redeveloping underperforming properties and a vibrant downtown are important to our community”……..Talk is cheap, lets see some action, downtown is a waste of money, try filling up all these vacant spots off somersville. This City is starting to look like Detroit.
Newly created position? Wasn’t Guy Bjerke in this position before? So why do we still have Lizeht if this guy is better? You know she’s done such an outstanding job bringing quality businesses here (insert eye roll). She should have been let go with Duran.
Agree with both of the above
Anyone hired by Duran should be gone. This city is very top heavy and it is time for Mr Bernal to wake up. No raises for anyone until we see performance improve.
Lizeht is the longest running management hire by Duran that’s still here. Why? She’s done nothing. Now there will be someone over her so she can do even less! Don’t let the sale of Humphrey’s make you think she was responsible for that. That was Council deciding to sell public land because it was an eyesore and homeless had overrun the place. It was a chance to unload that problem on the private sector and get some one-time money. I’ll give her credit for the Thursday night food trucks though. That’s a huge economic boom for us (another eye roll)! I wonder how many of those trucks have Antioch business licenses…
The last thing we need is more affordable housing in Antioch. We all know what that really means.
GHETTO!
This hire disturbs me. It is never a good idea to hire a friend of a friend specially when that friend does business with the city.
Hiring friends or family, NEVER works out well.
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