Twenty-seven-year-old organization’s clean and safe initiatives remain front and center, as small business involvement ramps up.
Downtown Visions, a private non-profit organization that strives to keep Downtown Wilmington clean, safe and attractive for its residents, employees and visitors— announced the creation of a new leadership team to support its evolving mission. After a nationwide search, Michael Maggitti has been selected as the organization’s Executive Director, replacing outgoing executive director Martin Hageman, who has been with Downtown Visions since its formation in 1994. Loshawn Maxwell has been promoted to Senior Director of Finance & Administration, and Norman Pernick has been appointed to the newly created position of Senior Advisor. The three of them will comprise the organization’s Senior Leadership Team.
Now celebrating its 27th anniversary, Downtown Visions was created to manage Wilmington’s Downtown Business Improvement District (WDBID), an area that has grown to encompass more than 70 square blocks containing 700 commercial buildings and some 550 street-level independent businesses. Clean and Safe initiatives have always been and will always be at the heart of Downtown Visions’ mission; DTV’s uniformed Cleaning and Safety Ambassadors are on the street year-round, seven days a week. The Cleaning Ambassadors pick up litter, empty trash receptacles, remove graffiti, power-wash sidewalks and clean up leaves and weeds. The Safety Ambassadors work in tandem with the Wilmington Police Department to keep Downtown safe by providing high-visibility patrols on foot and bike as well as safety escorts and property checks. In addition, Main Street Wilmington is a vital part of Downtown Visions’ initiative to promote the economic health and sustainability of Downtown Wilmington. Main Street Wilmington follows a nationally recognized framework for community-driven revitalization. Main Street Wilmington transforms ideas into action for a better Downtown and fosters a spirit of community teamwork to strengthen, revitalize and broaden Downtown Wilmington’s economic base.
“Since Downtown Visions was established 27 years ago, Downtown Wilmington has undergone countless changes — the most significant being its evolution from a strictly-business district to a residential and business district,” said Adam Landis, Chairman of the Board of Downtown Visions. “Marty Hageman has proven to be a consummate pro, leading Downtown Visions by staying nimble and helping to establish Downtown Wilmington as a vibrant place to work, live and play. What sets our Business District apart from others is the active role our small businesses play in maintaining and growing this thriving community. Downtown Visions plays a key role as a partner to downtown businesses. We thank Marty for his incredible 27-year tenure as Executive Director and look forward to Mike building on Marty’s work with Loshawn and Norm rounding out his management team.”
Maggitti has been with Downtown Visions since 2007, most recently as Deputy Executive Director. Over the past 14 years, he has also served as Director of Operations and Director of Safety. Prior to joining Downtown Visions, Maggitti spent 25 years as a Wilmington police officer, retiring at the rank of Captain. Maggitti earned a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware.
Like Hageman, Maxwell has been a part of Downtown Visions since its inception, having joined its founding organization, Wilmington 2000, in 1994. Over the past 27 years, Maxwell has held the positions of Director of Administration, Office Manager and Office Assistant. In her new position, she will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Downtown Visions’ financial, administrative and human resource matters. Maxwell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Goldey-Beacom College.
Pernick, an attorney and founding member of the Wilmington office of Cole Schotz, P.C., has been a board member of Downtown Visions since its inception in 1994 and served as its Board Chair from 2010 to 2019. He is also a founding member of the Main Street Wilmington program, serving as its first Board Chair from 2006 to 2014 and a member of its board since 2006. Pernick will focus his efforts on strategic planning, personnel development and external relationships.
About Downtown Visions
Downtown Visions is a registered 501 C (3) nonprofit that manages the Downtown Wilmington Business Improvement District. Its mission is to create, manage and promote a quality environment for people who live, work and visit Downtown Wilmington. This is accomplished by collaborating with the public and private sector entities in neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, through clean and safe initiatives, small business development, retail recruitment and retention, job creation and economic development. Downtown Visions also runs the Downtown Wilmington Main Street® program, receiving grants to fund community development programs.
