Georgetown BID Taps EastBanc Exec As Its New CEO


The Georgetown Business Improvement District is getting a new boss, the group announced last week. Joe Sternlieb, the new BID chief executive officer begins his job in mid-October. The BID’s previous executive director, James Bracco, departed in July.

Sternlieb, who holds a master’s degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has years of experience in D.C., including as vice president of acquisitions at EastBanc, Inc., and as deputy director of the Downtown D.C. BID for 10 years.

“I have a passion for the District and for helping the city reach all of its potential,” said Sternlieb in a BID press release. “So, leading the Georgetown BID is one of the greatest positions that a city planner like me aspires to hold. Georgetown is one of the greatest mixed-use neighborhoods in the nation. Still, it faces the challenges of access and mobility; competition from revitalizing city neighborhoods; addressing 21st century environmental issues; and the need to realize its full potential as an employment center, retail destination and waterfront community. This is an exciting time for Georgetown and the District and I am really looking forward to getting started.”

“The Georgetown BID is moving in an exciting direction to help ensure the continued success of the neighborhood as a vibrant local community and international destination,” said Crystal Sullivan, president of the Georgetown BID’s board of directors. “Joe is widely regarded for his talent, energy and ability to move things forward and we are pleased to welcome him to the Georgetown BID. We are looking forward to the leadership and vision he will bring to the Georgetown business community.”

“Prior to his leadership role at Downtown D.C.,” according to the Georgetown BID, “Joe was staff director of the D.C. Council Committee on Economic Development where he shepherded the BID enabling legislation through the City Council. He currently serves on the Board of several civic organizations, including the D.C. Building Industry Association, D.C. Surface Transit, Inc., and D.C. Vote.”

Established in 1999 by its property owners and merchants, the non-profit Georgetown BID has more than 1,000 members. Its full-time CEO reports directly to the BID’s board of directors. There are nine business improvement districts in Washington, D.C.; there are more than 1,000 in the U.S.

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