69° 
CONTACT US
General inquiry?
925 Liberty Avenue, Fourth Floor
Pittsburgh PA, 15222
Main Office: 412-566-4190
Fax: 412-566-4193
Office: 412-325-0152
phochendoner@blockbyblock.com
Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Staff
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Jeremy Waldrup |
Joining the Partnership in May 2011 as President and CEO, Mr. Waldrup is responsible for working with the Board of Directors, stakeholders and staff to create and implement a vision that ensures Downtown Pittsburgh remains a vibrant and innovative place to live, work and play.
Prior to joining the PDP, Mr. Waldrup worked to support economic development initiatives with the City of New York serving as Assistant Commissioner of District Development for the Department of Small Business Services. In this role Jeremy was responsible for the oversight and capacity building of the City’s 64 Business Improvement Districts and investing in commercial revitalization projects through an annual grant making program to local economic development organizations.
Mr. Waldrup also worked in business support and community development having worked for the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and at Charlotte Center City Partners. Jeremy also worked in the private sector as a consultant for the downtown master plans of Schenectady, NY and his hometown of Asheville, NC. Mr. Waldrup received a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Colorado and a B.A. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
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Lucinda G. Beattie |
As VP of Transportation for the PDP, Ms. Beattie is focused on campaigns to mitigate traffic congestion and enhance ease of travel Downtown. She played a lead role in PDP's "Coneman Campaign" and serves on PDP's Construction Mitigation Task Force and represents the PDP on all transportation-related committees and coalitions.
Prior to joining the PDP, Ms. Beattie was a consultant for major neighborhood revitalization projects and held several positions with the South Side Local Development Company.
Ms. Beattie has a B.A. from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts and a Masters of Science in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University.
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Russell A. Howard
Vice President,
Special Events & Development
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As the Vice President of Special Events and Development, Mr. Howard is responsible for developing and programming activities that encourage visitation and support the economic vitality of Downtown Pittsburgh including the PDP’s signature events Light Up Night® and the Peoples Gas Holiday Market™. Additionally he ensures the financial success of the PDP’s endeavors through creating value-added sponsorship opportunities.
Mr. Howard has extensive experience in cable and broadcast TV, most recently serving as SVP Communications Worldwide for National Geographic Channels in Washington DC. As VP Marketing & Communications at TEAM Services in Woodbury NY, he developed PPV marketing campaigns for WWE, Universal Studios, Paramount Studios and New Line Cinema. Previously, Howard managed news promotion, public relations, and community affairs at KDKA-TV2, initiating efforts such as the media partnership for the launch of the Andy Warhol Museum, fund-raising telethons for NEED and establishing joint news bureaus with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Howard also served as Chairman of The Three Rivers Film Festival while on the Board of Directors for Pittsburgh Filmmakers.
Mr. Howard received a BA in Visual Media Communications from the University of Pittsburgh.
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Robyn L. Williams, CPA, CMA |
Ms. Williams serves as the PDP’s Director of Finance. She is responsible for managing the finances of the organization, as well the Human Resources and IT functions of the organization.
Prior to joining the PDP, Robyn was the Business Unit Director of Finance for Accenture in Pittsburgh and also worked as a CPA in public accounting for numerous years.
Ms. Williams earned her B.A. in Accounting from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. She earned her Certified Public Accountant license in 1998 and her Certified Management Accountant designation in 2006.
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Leigh White |
Ms. White serves as the VP of Marketing and Communications for the PDP. She is responsible for ensuring the events, advocacy, research and economic development work of the organization is communicated to stakeholders throughout the region.
Prior to joining the PDP, Ms. White served as the executive director of the Carnegie Community Development Corporation. She was responsible for developing and implementing economic development, business attraction and façade improvement programs, as well implementing a complete marketing plan for the central business district of Carnegie.
Prior to Carnegie, Leigh worked at Duquesne University, The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Ms. White is a graduate of the CORO Center’s Women in Leadership Program and a past recipient of PUMP and Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Award. She studied Communications Media at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
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Geof Comings |
Mr. Comings is responsible for the administration of the PDP office retention and recruitment, Market Square management, overseeing the Paris to Pittsburgh street activation project, and the street-level management of the PDP retail retention and recruitment.
Prior to joining the PDP, Mr. Comings served as the Business Development Manager for the South Side Local Development Company in Pittsburgh, Pa., and was the Executive Director of Main Street Oberlin in Oberlin, Oh.
Mr. Comings earned a B.A. in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University.
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Brian Kurtz |
Brian Kurtz joined the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership as Research and Economic Development Manager in 2011. He is responsible for publishing the State of Downtown Pittsburgh report and tracking a variety of Downtown vitality indicators including commercial real estate, residential and retail market conditions, and active development. In addition, he is responsible for office retention and recruitment efforts, preparing grant reports, and engaging development projects in Downtown.
Before returning to Pittsburgh, Brian worked in business development for a county-wide economic development agency in Buffalo, New York.
He studied Political Science and Leadership at Gannon University and received a Master in Urban Planning from the University at Buffalo. Brian serves as a Director on the Gannon University National Alumni Board, and is a member of the Urban Land Institute Young Leaders Group.
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Lynda Fairbrother |
Ms. Fairbrother is the welcoming face of the PDP office. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the front office and communicates via telephone, email, and in person with numerous clients, members, visitors, business owners, residents, and employees on a daily basis.
In addition to providing administrative support for the President and CEO, the Director of Finance, and Vice Presidents of Marketing, Economic Development and Transportation, Ms. Fairbrother heads the parking reservation program and assists the marketing department with membership.
Ms. Fairbrother earned a degree from Art Institute of Pittsburgh and is pursuing another in Interior Design.
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Paul J. Hochendoner |
Mr. Hochendoner manages the daily operations of the Safety Ambassador and Clean Team Programs and collaborates with local social service agencies, police and other emergency service providers in order to develop a strong network to keep Downtown clean and safe. Mr. Hochendoner utilizes his counseling skills while working with the homeless population.
A native of Pittsburgh and resident of Greensburg, Pa., Mr. Hochendoner earned his B.A. in Psychology from St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., and his Masters degree in Counseling from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.
