Joliet Names New Economic Development Director: Paulina Martinez

JOLIET — In addition to hiring Rosemaria DiBenedetto as Joliet's new public relations director, city manager Beth Beatty announced on Monday that Paulina Martinez will be taking over as the city's new economic development director.

Martinez fills the vacancy created about two-and-a-half months ago when Cesar Suarez was forced to resign after less than two years on the job, after coming to Joliet from Peoria. Joliet had very few success stories with economic development during Suarez's tenure with Joliet.

In her new role, Martinez will be asked to lead the city’s efforts to become a regional leader in bringing new companies and jobs to the city. Prior to Monday's hiring, Martinez was working in Chicago as the business development director for World Business.

“Paulina has extensive experience not only in business development but also in municipal government, which will make her transition to the city easier,” Beatty announced in Monday's press release. “Her responsibilities, among many, include being the City’s business liaison and first point of contact for existing and prospective business owners seeking to locate to Joliet.”

Martinez will make a salary of $135,000 leading Joliet's economic development efforts. In April, Joliet Patch reported that the economic development director job was posted March 28 and the full salary range was listed as $85,085 to $139,518.

Martinez, a lifelong resident of Joliet, holds a master of arts in urban planning and policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a bachelor's in sports, recreation and tourism from the University of St. Francis.

She is also a certified planner from the American Institute of Certified Planners and is vice president of the Joliet Latino Economic Development Association.