Plaisted to lead Third Ward group
He is named executive director
The Historic Third Ward Association, which helps lead development activity in that booming Milwaukee neighborhood, has named a new executive director.
Jim Plaisted will start in that position July 10. He succeeds Nancy O’Keefe, who retired in December after 20 years at the association.
Plaisted “is articulate, thoughtful and has the passion and leadership skills to build upon the Third Ward’s reputation as an enviable, vibrant urban community,” Jack R. Lemmon, association president, said in a statement.
“Jim’s long-time commitment and understanding of how to build stronger districts, coupled with his proven track record of working with multiple stakeholders, is exactly what we need,” said Lemmon, Skylight Music Theatre executive director.
Plaisted has more than 20 years of experience working with commercial neighborhood districts and municipalities.
He was named executive director for Milwaukee’s East Side Business Improvement District when it was formed in 1999.
Plaisted continued to do that job while also being hired as executive director
of the Shorewood Business Improvement District, in 2006, and the Wauwatosa Village Business Improvement District, in 2012. He has resigned from all three positions to take the Third Ward job.
Prior to working with those three business districts, Plaisted was an assistant to then-Milwaukee Ald. Mike D’Amato from 1996 to 1999.
“I am thrilled and
honored to work for this amazing neighborhood and strong, local organization,” Plaisted said in a statement. “The Third Ward is truly one of Milwaukee’s renaissance success stories and I’m excited to keep the momentum going for years to come.”
The nonprofit association organizes annual events such as the Third Ward Art Festival, Third Ward Sidewalk Sale and Christmas in the Ward.
It also maintains the portion of Milwaukee’s RiverWalk that runs through the neighborhood, and produces a
shopping, dining and entertainment guide and other marketing materials.
The group also serves as an advocate for Third Ward residents and business operators.
The association is hired by the neighborhood’s business improvement district to manage its activities. The district raises funds through an annual assessment on neighborhood commercial properties.