City appoints director of Community Development

In one of his first acts as the newly appointed City Manager John Orzech for the city of Sandusky, he announced Aug. 9 that he appointed Colleen Gilson as the city’s director of the Department of Community Development, according to a news release.

Gilson had served as interim director of Department of Community Development since March 2023, as well as interim assistant city manager since November 2022.

Originally, she started with the city in August 2022 as chief neighborhood development officer.

“Colleen has performed exemplary in her interim role as Community Development director and assistant city manager,” Orzech said. “Colleen is a true professional that has the heart and desire to serve our community and the experience to handle the duties.

“Our city team is enthusiastic that she has accepted the permanent role as Community Development director. She will be an advocate for our citizens and believes wholeheartedly in building collaborative relationships. She is a tremendous asset to our team and community and we look forward to her continued leadership in the city.”

In her role, Gilson oversees the Department of Community Development, which includes the economic development, housing, neighborhood and Community Development Block Grant programs, as well as the divisions of Planning and Zoning; Transit; and Parks and Recreation.

“The opportunities presented to me in the last

year have been a gift,” Gilson said. “They allowed me to grow, learn and lean into the business and operations of this great city.

“The leadership and colleagues I have the honor of working with made the acceptance of the position of Community Development director an easy decision. I look forward to continuing to work with, inspire and be inspired by them, the residents and stakeholders of the city of Sandusky.”

Gilson has over 25 years of experience in neighborhood development, the release said.

Before joining the city of Sandusky last year, she served as the vice president of CDC Advancement at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, the executive director of the Cleveland Neighborhood Development Coalition and the executive director of the Tremont West Development Corporation, the release said.

In 2018, Gilson was named CDC Staff Person of the Year by the Ohio CDC Association, according to the release.

Gilson holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in political science from Hillsdale College and various professional certifications.

She is a native of Cleveland and currently resides in Marblehead.

SUBMITTED Colleen Gilson named director of Department of Community Development for city of Sandusky.