NEW ORLEANS – The Downtown Development District (DDD) introduced its new Board of Commissioners.
These three Downtown partners were appointed by Mayor Mitch Landrieu, and were approved by the New Orleans City Council on August 25, 2016.
• GARY BLOSSMAN
Blossman currently serves as the President and CEO of First Bank and Trust. Since 2010, he has been overseeing First Bank and Trust's entire banking operations as the bank continues to aggressively expand its personal and business services in South Louisiana and Mississippi. Blossman also serves on the Bank's Board of Directors.
• MICHELLE CRAIG
Craig currently serves as Managing Partner of Transcendent Legal. With over 14 years of Am200 law firm experience, she was a partner with Adams and Reese LLP in New Orleans before starting her own firm. She holds dual degrees including a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and a Bachelor of the Civil Law (B.C.L.) from the Louisiana State University (LSU) Law Center. Additionally, Craig studied International and Comparative Law at the Université d'Aix Marseille III, France.
• CLEVELAND SPEARS
Spears, a native New Orleanian, holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of New Orleans, and 10 years of professional experience in marketing, advertising, public relations and event production across a number of industries. In July 2008, he founded Spears Consulting Group. In November 2014, the company rebranded as Spears Group, indicating a more partnership-like relationship with its clients. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, Spears Group currently operates as a full service marketing, public relations and event production firm.
The DDD’s Board of Commissioners include:
Executive Committee
Allison Tiller
Chair
Judy Y. Barrasso
Immediate Past Chair
Joseph Bruno, Jr.
Vice-Chair
Tod Chambers
Treasurer
Kevin Kelly
Secretary
Commissioners
Gary Blossman
Commissioner
Michelle Craig
Commissioner
Bill Hines
Commissioner
Carla Major
Commissioner
Jade Brown Russell
Commissioner
Cleveland Spears
Commissioner
Commissioned by the State Legislature in 1974, the Downtown Development District (DDD) is America's oldest Business Improvement District. Funded by a special property tax, the DDD provides enhanced services in economic development, cleaning, and public safety. The DDD is bounded by Claiborne, the Mississippi River, the Pontchartrain Expressway, and Iberville Street.
Michelle Craig
Cleveland Spears
