Press Release: Rick Ammirato Named Executive Director of the DC BID Council

News Release — DC BID Council

October 1, 2020 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. – The DC BID Council board of directors announced Monday that Rick Ammirato, former Bethesda Urban Partnership Executive Director, has been named Executive Director of the DC BID Council—the association of Washington D.C.’s 11 Business Improvement Districts. 

“We are excited to announce Rick Ammirato as the new executive director of the DC BID Council,” said Neil Albert, chairman of the DC BID Council and President and CEO of the DowntownDC Business Improvement District. “Rick possesses a wealth of experience in the creation of thriving, urban communities through economic development, placemaking and the establishment of key public-private partnerships. He will bring great skills and energy to this new role and we look forward to having him lead the BID Council through its next chapter.”

“The incredible work of Washington, DC’s BIDs and the DC BID Council is more relevant to the success of our neighborhoods and communities than ever before,” said Ammirato. “I look forward to working with all our stakeholders as we chart a path to a recovery that benefits everyone.”

Rick joins the BID Council following recent work with nonprofit and private sector companies on their Covid-19 response. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP) where he oversaw the five-year reauthorization of BUP by the Montgomery County Council, the completion of a new comprehensive strategic plan, expanded events and programming in local parks, and building a holistic approach with the County to managing construction impacts in downtown Bethesda. He served as Assistant City Manager and Executive Director of the Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in the City of Homestead, FL, where he coordinated the strategic planning and execution of a $100 million economic revitalization effort in the historic downtown that included public and private investment, the construction of public infrastructure, and educational, cultural and entertainment facilities. Previous to his leadership in Homestead, Rick was the Executive Director of the White Plains Business Improvement District in New York and the Mayor’s Policy Specialist focusing on commercial development issues.

An executive search committee, comprised of BID Council board members, conducted a national search for a successor to outgoing BID Council Executive Director Natalie Avery. Avery announced in July her decision to relinquish her role after serving in her position for 7 years.

“I am thrilled that Rick has been selected for this role,” said Avery. “He brings energy and a wealth of experience to organize cross-BID efforts to support a strong and just recovery and thriving city neighborhoods.”

The DC BID Council is also announcing the installation of a new Executive Committee of officers this October to serve for two years. The officers include:

• Leona Agouridis, Chair and Executive Director of the Golden Triangle BID
• Kenyattah Robinson, Vice Chair and President and CEO of the Mount Vernon Triangle CID
• Steve Moore, Treasurer and Executive Director of the Southwest BID
• Colleen Hawkinson, Secretary and Executive Director of the Dupont Circle BID
• Patty Brosmer, Ex-Officio and President of the Capitol Hill BID

About the DC BID Council: The DC BID Council is the association of DC’s Eleven Business Improvement Districts. The BID Council works collaboratively to address issues that cut across BID boundaries to foster a vibrant and healthy city and thriving neighborhood economies.

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