Montgomery mayor names new economic development, parks and rec leaders

Brad Harper, Montgomery Advertiser
·2 min read
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed delivers his State of the City address at a Town Hall Meeting at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday January 12, 2022.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed delivers his State of the City address at a Town Hall Meeting at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex in Montgomery, Ala., on Wednesday January 12, 2022.

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed has named two new cabinet members: Economic Development Director Darryl Washington and Parks and Recreation Director David Card.

The city announced the hires Tuesday, but Washington and Card both started in their new roles earlier this month.

Washington is a Birmingham native and former BellSouth employee who has spent 25 years in development, most recently as Director of District Development for Urban Impact in Birmingham’s Historic Civil Rights District.

A city release announcing his hire said that Washington will be in charge of building a cohesive growth strategy, including "recruiting corporate partners, empowering small businesses, revitalizing neighborhoods and catalyzing retail and commercial expansion in non-traditional development corridors."

"I had a friend ask, 'Why Montgomery?' I said, 'Why not Montgomery?' I don't think enough people realize the tremendous opportunities that are here in Montgomery," Washington said at last week's Montgomery City Council meeting. "It's my job to illuminate and double down on what's working (and) come up with some creative programs."

He said he plans to continue downtown and neighborhood revitalization while working with local leaders.

Card's decades of experience in sports and recreation management includes playing a key role in the construction of training facilities for the 1996 Olympics. Locally, he was key to the city's community center renovation plans and helped develop new summer youth recreation programs.

A city release said Card's job will include delivering on "Mayor Reed’s multimillion dollar investment into Montgomery community centers, parks and athletic facilities (and) working to further employment and recreation programming that aligns with best practices in expanding youth wraparound services."

Card told the council that he looks forward to working with residents and elected leaders here to build and maintain "first-class properties."

"Despite different fields of expertise, David and Darryl understand the importance of bridging the gaps in our community to ensure everyone has access to opportunities for growth, development and prosperity,” Reed said in a statement announcing the hires. “Their unique perspectives only complement their success as seasoned professionals. Both are results-driven individuals and proven leaders who will help position Montgomery to reach its full potential."

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brad Harper at bharper1@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery mayor names new economic development, parks and rec leaders