September 13, 2010 - Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced today the names of the individuals chosen to become the City’s new Housing Director and Business Development Administrator. Geraldine McCafferty has been chosen to fill the position vacated by former Housing Director Carl Dietz. McCafferty had been serving as Acting Housing Director since July 13, 2009. Former Springfield City Councilor Bruce Stebbins has been appointed to the position of Business Development Administrator.
McCafferty possesses 20 years of combined Housing, Homeless Resource, Project Management, Grant Administration and Neighborhood Stabilization Program Funding experience. McCafferty served as Deputy Director of Housing from 2006-2009. Her previous employment experience includes serving as a Housing Attorney for Western Massachusetts Legal Services (2001 – 2006) and as a Staff Attorney for Colorado Legal Services (1990 – 2001).
As Housing Director, McCafferty will direct all of the City of Springfield’s housing programs, work with housing developers to evaluate and develop housing opportunities, assist the Office of Community Development with the administration of grants, manage the City’s portfolio of residential properties including the maintenance and disposition of properties, and inform city residents, citizens groups, businesses and other stakeholders of municipal housing policy and activities. McCafferty will report to the City’s Chief Development Officer, John Judge.
In addition to her professional work experience, McCafferty has served on the Friends of the Homeless Board of Directors (2005 – 2006) and Volunteers for Justice (2003 – 2005). She is the recipient of the HAPHousing Collaborator Award (2008), Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Outstanding Regional Service Award (2008), Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance Cornerstone Award (2008), and the United Way of Pioneer Valley Kevin Hamel Community Building Award (2008).
Stebbins is a former two-term Springfield City Councilor serving from January 2005 – December 2009, and possesses over 20 years of combined Business Development and Business Association Management Experience. Most recently, Stebbins was employed as the Senior Regional Manager for the National Association of Manufacturers (1999 – 2010). He worked previously as both the Regional Director and subsequent Director of the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (1991 – 1999), Director of the Western Massachusetts Branch of the Governor’s Office (1991) and as Associate Director of Political Affairs for The White House (1989 – 1991).
As Business Development Administrator, Stebbins will be responsible for managing the City-wide business retention and development program, cultivating development and business opportunities, providing professional guidance to entrepreneurs involved in new or expanding businesses, promoting the City and its assets and programs, collaborating with economic development agencies, maintaining outreach with community and business groups including those from minority and underserved populations. Stebbins will report to Chief Development Officer, John Judge. His appointment is effective September 13, 2010.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated “I’m very pleased to have these two professionals part of my Administration.” “I’m very impressed with the experience and hard work ethic that both Ms. McCafferty and Mr. Stebbins posses,” added Sarno.
McCafferty will earn an annual salary of $95,000. Stebbins will earn an annual salary of $62,000.