Although he is serving as the interim executive director, Tim Hall said his goal is to move the Uptown Partnership forward and help when a new director is hired.
“What I want to do is keep moving what’s already in the pipeline and make sure that nothing falls through the cracks,” Hall said. “I’m more than willing to be the bridge to whatever’s next for the organization.”
Hall, who retired as Henry County Administrator and General Manager of the PSA in July, was tapped to guide the organization as it searches for a permanent leader after Kathy Deacon stepped down in August.
Beverly Lyle, treasurer and a member of Uptown Partnership’s executive committee, said the organization was thankful for Deacon’s efforts.
“Kathy has been an amazing executive director. She has helped to continue the work that we’ve started as an organization,” she said. “Kathy helped us, together, to do the Community Visioning series that included input from a broad range of the community of Martinsville.”
Deacon worked closely with the Department of Housing and Community Development and sparked interest and engagement around Uptown businesses.
Hall was selected because the organization felt he would be a great fit.
“He has an amazing track record, and he has been a public servant for decades,” Lyle said. “We’re really excited to have Tim to continue the great work that Kathy has done, and our board is extremely engaged. We’re looking forward to seeing the community’s vision.”
Hall is bringing his skills of uptown development, revitalization, and more to the table, along with a strong belief in the value of Uptown. He added that he supports the mission of the Uptown Partnership and its efforts for Martinsville.
“I think the uptown area in any community is the heartbeat of that community,” he said. “If there’s a viable uptown, a flourishing uptown, then it helps all aspects of that community.”
Although he does not have any major plans during his stint as interim, Hall hopes to guide the organization through the plans it has in place.
“I don’t anticipate any great new adventures, from my perspective,” Hall said. “I’m just really looking forward to whatever role I can play and I’m hopeful that I can be a positive influence.”
The Uptown Partnership is currently accepting applicants for the Executive Director position and is hoping to fill the position by the beginning of 2023. It plans to work with other stakeholders and other community partners to make a decision.
The Uptown Partnership works to revitalize and energize Martinsville’s Uptown District through business growth, including shopping, dining, and entertainment. Their goals are to prioritize the vision of the community and move along with the Department of Housing and Community Development with the Mainstreet Process.
Information for applying for the Executive Director position will soon be available on indeed.com and on the Uptown Partnership’s website at uptownpartnership.com
“We’re looking for someone who has strong leadership skills, collaboration skills, and who will just help us to move forward in the future,” Lyle said. “If folks know some strong candidates that they want to send our way, then they’re welcome to let us know. We’re looking forward to getting the next strong Executive Director in place and continuing community support.”
