Michelle Bishop was hired by the Oxford Community Development Authority board Tuesday to serve as the entity’s new executive director.
The 30-year-old Berkley resident replaces former executive director Debbie Schutt, who decided not to renew her contract when it expired in October 2002. Schutt agreed to stay on until a replacement was found.
‘I think you have a wonderful new director and I think she will do a really great job,? Schutt told the board. ‘She’s got a great background, which I think you will be able to take advantage of. She’s got a fabulous attitude in terms of the community and wanting to do a great job.?
OCDA member and village President Steve Allen noted that Schutt’s departure leaves Bishop with ‘some big shoes to fill.?
Prior to landing in Oxford, Bishop, who has a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Purdue University and a Master of Fine Arts in Historic Preservation from Savannah College of Art and Design, was employed with Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) since June 2002.
The MSOC is a program instituted by Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Services in 2000 to provide assistance for downtown revitalization and preservation.
Bishop executed the MSOC Design Assistance Program, a facade improvement program offering conceptual drawings and material specifications for the rehabilitation of historic structures.
She also provided technical assistance to eight MSOC communities including annual work planning, design assistance and National Main Street ‘Four Point Approach? education.
‘I have spent much of my time working with the eight MSOC communities familiarizing myself with the complexities of each community, the operations of the Downtown Development Authority and its use of the Main Street Program,? Bishop wrote in her letter to the OCDA. ‘With this experience I fully understand the creativity, dedication and proactive processes of an Executive Director. I also understand the broad-based knowledge necessary to improve, promote and sustain the downtown area of a community.?
When asked why she chose to work in Oxford, Bishop replied, ‘It just seems like a good place, a good fit for me.?
Of downtown Oxford, Bishop said it has ‘great buildings? with ‘a lot of potential.?
She said the annual Celebrate Oxford in August is a ‘great event, but I think it’s something we can build on.?
‘Maybe add a couple more events, so we can bring people downtown throughout the year, especially during those winter months when it’s cold,? Bishop said.
Bishop is anxious to recruit new businesses for the downtown.
‘We’re going to go out there and actually see what it is that we want to bring to Oxford,? she said. ‘We want to bring the right businesses here and make them successful.?
However, Bishop also wants to ‘hang on to those businesses that are doing great down here already and help them in the best way that we can to make their business the best it can be.?
Bishop was born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, but raised in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.
Her education and career experience has taken her to Florida and Georgia.
‘I moved around a bit,? Bishop said. ‘I got a lot of experience in different areas.?
Some of the significant community projects Bishop’s been involved in over the years include creating a restoration plan for an old Jewish cemetery in Savannah, Georgia; developing architectural design guidelines for downtown Batavia, Illinois; assisting in the adaptive reuse design of an abandoned structure for use as a community center in Savannah, Georgia (also created a fund-raising plan for the opening and continued success of that community center); and producing a building rehabilitation plan for an historic arts and crafts style home in the Bahamian Village (in Key West, Florida) for restoration as an historic neighborhood museum.
On a personal note, Bishop has been married 1? years to her husband Joel.
Bishop appears to have a very positive attitude about downtown Oxford and its future.
‘A lot of great things are already happening and a lot of great things are going to happen,? she said.
The OCDA has budgeted $42,000 a year for Bishop’s wages and benefits.