Spencer Koger was selected as the new executive director of Uptown Partnership.
He succeeds Tim Hall, who recently served as interim director and vacated the post earlier this year. Koger’s first day on the job was Monday, April 3.
“We could not be more thrilled to welcome Spencer aboard as our new executive director,” said Liz Harris, board president of Uptown Partnership. “Spencer’s experience and passion for civic engagement will be key as Uptown Partnership works in collaboration with community partners to advance Martinsville in the Virginia Main Street program and support continued revitalization of our Uptown district.”
A native of the area, Koger brings a wealth of experience in media, communications, leadership, and civic engagement to his new role. His career began as a research fellow at the Jorvan Institute in Cape Town, South Africa, where he worked in community and leadership development, and more recently, Koger worked in media analytics for PublicRelay, a communications and PR firm based in northern Virginia.
Koger earned his undergraduate degree in Communication and Leadership Studies with a minor in Civic Engagement and Social Entrepreneurship from Christopher Newport University (CNU). While at CNU, he earned recognition for community service and outreach including the Rosemary Trible Prize for Leadership and Service and the Service Distinction Leader recipients.
A talented musician, Koger serves as the music director and organist at First Presbyterian Church in Martinsville in his spare time.
“I am excited to join Uptown Partnership and play a pivotal role in jump starting the momentum of the organization,” said Koger. “I am passionate about Martinsville, its people and success, and look forward to working closely with the board, the City, our community partners and volunteers to advance Martinsville in the Virginia Main Street program and make Uptown Martinsville a more vibrant, inclusive, and safe space for people to live, work, and play.”
Koger’s appointment comes at an important time for Uptown Partnership (UP). In December 2022, UP and Martinsville was selected along with nine other Virginia organizations and communities to join the Commonwealth’s first-ever Mobilizing Main Street cohort-based program. The two-year program provides a framework for targeted organizational development support for municipalities that are interested in pursuing Advancing Virginia Main Street (VMS) designation and Main Street America accredited status.
