Mayor Names Assistant Directors of Economic Development

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2007

For additional information:
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

Bloomington, IN - Mayor Mark Kruzan announced today he has appointed Adam Wason as the City of Bloomington's Assistant Director of Economic Development for Small Business and Sustainable Development, and Miah Michaelsen as Assistant Director of Economic Development for the Arts.

"Adam and Miah's appointments build on the progress city government has already made in creating economic vitality for Bloomington," Kruzan said. The City can now focus even more precisely on growing local businesses, creating jobs and diversifying our economy. These new positions are a clear statement that small business, sustainability, and the arts are crucial to our community's quality of life."

[Adam Wason|image:2123,left]

Wason, who currently serves as the City Utilities Department's Public Affairs Specialist, has a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs and Masters Certificates in Public Management and Nonprofit Management from Indiana University's

Wason, who currently serves as the City Utilities Department's Public Affairs Specialist, has a Bachelor of Science in School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

His duties as Assistant Director will include small business advocacy and outreach, Certified Tech Park promotion and coordination, and leading the City's "Team Green" to implement US Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement initiatives.

"Communicating directly with residents and businesses regarding Utilities Department projects has given me a strong foundation for my new duties," Wason said. "I am excited to help the business community and city government partner to increase business productivity while promoting sustainability in the process."

Michaelsen currently serves as the Executive Director for the Bloomington Area Arts Council where she manages the organization's programming, cultural initiatives and community partnerships.

[Miah Michaelson|image:2124,left]

"Through my work nurturing artists and arts organizations in the five-county area supported by the Arts Council, I have seen the potential our region has to be a flourishing arts destination," Michaelsen said. "I look forward to leading the City's role as a catalyst for growing that potential to bring about this vision."

As Assistant Director of Economic Development for the Arts, Michaelsen's responsibilities will include leading strategic planning and management of BEAD (Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District), working with artists and community arts organizations to promote the arts as economic development, and coordinating arts projects along the City's B-Line Trail and in BEAD character districts.

A 2006 graduate of the Leadership Bloomington program, Michaelsen earned her Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Theatre Arts from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. She is a member of IU's Arts Administration Degree Program Advisory Council and is an Advisory Board member of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. She also has served as juror and panelist for numerous arts organizations, including the Indianapolis Arts Council, Fourth Street Festival of the Arts, and IU's Hope School of Fine Arts.