For the first time in months, the Gateway Community Development Corporation has a new executive director.
The Gateway CDC, a non-profit group which tries to use arts to encourage economic development in Mount Rainier, Brentood and North Brentwood, appointed Carole Bernard to head the organization. The Gateway CDC had been without an executive director since the departure of Michael Gumpert last year.
"I'm thrilled to join the Gateway CDC and assist in its economic revitalization efforts along the U.S. Route 1 Corridor," said Bernard in a press release. "Mt. Rainier, North Brentwood and Brentwood are fabulous neighborhoods. I look forward to working with stakeholders on business and neighborhood development initiatives and promoting the arts as an economic driver."
The Gateway CDC covers the southern half of the Gateway Arts District, which includes Mount Rainier, Brentwood and North Brentwood. The city of Hyattsville, whose Route 1 Corridor also lies within the Gateway Arts District, has its own community development corporation, the Hyattsville CDC. Both the Hyattsville CDC and the Gateway CDC often work together to promote events throughout the Gateway Arts District.
Bernard, who has been on the job at the Gateway CDC for three weeks now, said that her main priority will be to make sure the organization is financially sustainable.
"I certaintly have a big task at hand, but it's an exciting time for the CDC," said Bernard in an interview.
Bernard most recently worked as the communications director for the Rosslyn Business Improvement District in Virginia. In that capacity, she helped promote the district's events, and economic development efforts.
Bernard has also worked as the executive director of Chevy Chase's Northwest Neighbors Village, and has worked in the communications offices of a number of other regional non-profits, including the Paralyed Veterans of America, the National Minority Aids Council and the National Research Center for Women and families.
"I've been in non-profits for a number of years," said Bernard in an interview. "It's truly my passion to work in a field where I can make a difference in people's lives and in the community."
