SDDA Executive Director Greg Beam announces resignation

STAUNTON — The Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA) will need a new executive director.

Current Executive Director Greg Beam will be stepping down “in the coming weeks" to take over as Assistant Town Manager for Mount Jackson, Virginia, according to a SDDA press release,

“I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with so many amazingly talented individuals and outstanding businesses and organizations over the past several years,” Beam wrote in the press release. “It truly takes all of us working together to make it happen—and the great news is there’s still so many great things ahead!”

Beam took over as executive director in December 2019. The Staunton native was picked out of 40 candidates. Before this, he was featured as one of the 2017 Newsmakers in The News Leader.

According to the SDDA press release, Beam led the team through several disasters, including the pandemic and the downtown Staunton floods of August 2020.

Beam led the relocation of SDDA's administrative offices to the second floor of the 1 East Beverley Street building, the creation and development of the Shop & Dine Out in Downtown initiative, and securing over $100,000 in various sponsorships, donations and grant funding for SDDA. Beam and WQSV Host Ben Leonard started Staunton Stories, a podcast spotlighting Staunton's business and nonprofit community. The most recent episode released on Nov. 9, featuring Design @ 9 owner Kristi Gorny.

"Greg's leadership style, energy, and creativity will certainly be missed,” said Jessica Sawyers, President of the Staunton Downtown Development Association . “He has been instrumental in propelling our organization forward, and we are grateful for his dedication over the past few years. I wish him the best of luck as he embarks on this new journey. I know he will continue to flourish in this new position."

Michele Waitier, the current SDDA Assistant Executive Director, will take over as Interim Executive Director.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: SDDA Executive Director Greg Beam to resign