The Business Improvement District Board of Directors has appointed a new executive director from within its own ranks.
Chairman David (Chip) Colton said Thursday that the Board voted last week to offer the position to Maureen Belliveau who will assume her new duties on May 14.
Belliveau is the co-owner of an Elm Street business, Optimum Health, and a long-time member of the BID.
“She’s been a BID member since the beginning and on the board since it was incorporated,” Colton said. “Maureen has been serving as my vice chairman, so it should be a very easy transition.”
“The board felt that it is important to have someone with local roots, so we’re excited to have Maureen, who will be able to hit the ground running,” Colton said.
“Maureen worked very actively with (former Executive Director) Lisa (McMahon),” Colton said. “Maureen (an organic gardener in her own right) was heavily invested in establishing the Farmer’s Market, which has become a major success for the BID, local farmers and city residents.”
“Maureen is familiar with the people involved in the BID and, as a business owner, the issues and challenges facing businesses in the downtown,” Colton said. “She is also well-connected with the Westfield On Weekends people.”
Belliveau is leaving her practice at Optimum Health, which she established nearly six years ago with partner Christine Bissonnette. Bissonnette will continue to operate their business.
“This opportunity is very near and dear to my heart,” Belliveau said in a prepared release. “”As a former local business owner, I know first hand just how important this organization is to Westfield’s business district, and to our entire community.”
City Advancement Officer Jeff Daley said he is “absolutely looking forward to working with Maureen to help business in the downtown continue to grow.”
“I think this is a great selection for the BID because she was already very involved and because, as a business owner, she knows the challenges facing downtown businesses,” Daley said. “As a business owner, she utilized a lot of the BID services, branding her business, marketing classes. She’s walked the walk and talked the talk of a downtown business owner, so she’s a great person to take the helm as the BID executive Director.”
