Des Plaines Names Community and Economic Director

Little more than a year and a half after he took on the position, Des Plaines City Manager Michael Bartholomew appointmented Alexander Dambach as the director of community and economic development, the city announced on Wednesday. Dambach is scheduled to begin Sept. 17.

Dambach comes to Des Plaines from the City of East Orange, New Jersey where he served as director of policy, planning and development.

Dambach also served as supervising planner for the City of Newark, New Jersey for nine years. His previous positions include senior business planner for New Jersey Transit, principal planner for the City of Paterson, New Jersey, downtown manager, Findlay & Hancock Co. Chamber of Commerce in Findlay, Ohio, and development assistant for the Ohio Department of Development.

Dambach has obtained the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) designation and is licensed as a professional planner. He is an executive board member of the American Planning Association and has served as the Northeast Area Representative for the New Jersey Chapter.

He has a bachelor’s degree in history from the College of Charleston and Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) degree from Ohio State University.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Mr. Alexander Dambach to the City of Des Plaines senior staff as the Director of Community and Economic Development," Bartholomew said. "Alex was one of over 50 candidates who applied for the position.  He brings with him knowledge and experience in the area of redevelopment, transit oriented development strategies and community revitalization and will be an asset to our team."

Bartholomew held the community and economic development director position until his appointment to city manager on April 2.

This information was submitted by the City of Des Plaines.