Date:  January 29, 2008

                                                Contact: Derek Danziger

                                                                                                             619-533-7103

or Tiffany Metti

 619-533-7136

www.ccdc.com

CCDC BOARD TO HONOR REDEVELOPMENT CHAMPION

Former CCDC Vice President Donna Alm to Be Recognized for Years of Service to Downtown

SAN DIEGO, CA— Centre City Development Corporation’s (CCDC’s) Board of Directors will honor former CCDC Vice President Donna Alm, at the January 30 board meeting to be held in City Council Chambers at 1 p.m. Board Chair Fred Maas will present the Directors’ Award in recognition of Alm’s positive and lasting impact on downtown and her years of strong leadership in downtown’s redevelopment efforts. Alm retired in December 2007.

“Throughout her career Donna has demonstrated tremendous dedication and commitment to the vision of downtown, from spearheading policy issues in Sacramento to creating the urban environment we see today,” said Maas. “Through the respected relationships she has made within the community and among leaders, she has built a firm foundation for and shined a spotlight on downtown San Diego. We are thankful and proud to honor her with this award.”

A catalyst in implementing the vision of downtown, Donna Alm has been with CCDC on and off for a total of nearly 20 years and was responsible for marketing the growing development, investment, business and lifestyle opportunities in downtown San Diego. She also managed public affairs, issue development and advocacy programs; media and community relations; and the production of print and audiovisual materials. Her involvement during downtown’s 30-plus years of revitalization has shaped her thorough knowledge of the area’s history, character and opportunities for the future.

During her career Alm held many key positions that have put her at the front of downtown’s transformation, including:

• Staff to Mayor Pete Wilson during the creation of CCDC
• Joined CCDC during its start-up and worked through the early planning and project years
• Served as Marketing Director of the Gaslamp Quarter Council
• Joined the San Diego Convention Center Corporation at its opening, created its communication and national media programs; Alm was instrumental in opening and introducing this highly successful venue
• Initiated a broad marketing and communications program and network at CCDC, where she remained through 2007.

Community service posts included:

• Elected official on the La Mesa City Council for nine years; chaired the City’s Planning Commission prior to that; founding member of the La Mesa Park and Recreation Foundation
• Past president and current board member of San Diego East Visitors Bureau
• Vice chair of the San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater Commission for eight years; chaired the San Diego Transit Corporation Board; vice chair of the San Diego County Redistricting Committee
• Past president of the San Diego Press Club; past officer/director of the local chapters of the Public Relations Society of America, American Lung Association, March of Dimes and Girl Scouts of America.

Recognitions included:

• October 21, 2003 was proclaimed “Donna Alm Day” by the County Board of Supervisors in recognition of her community service, including the 2000 Redistricting Committee
• In 1997, the Downtown San Diego Partnership presented her with the coveted Alonzo Award for her work on the development of downtown’s Clean & Safe Program.
• Additional honors include the Otto Bos Lifetime Achievement award from the Public Relations Society of America, the Andy Mace award from the San Diego Press Club, and designation as a Grossmont College Distinguished Alumna.

###

CCDC is a public, nonprofit corporation created by the City of San Diego in 1975 to facilitate the redevelopment of downtown’s 1,500 acres.