Downtown business association fires director

Citing poor economic conditions, the Annapolis Business Association fired its executive director last night.

Clare Vanderbeek said the firing came as a surprise.

"I'm really disappointed, but I look forward to a new opportunity," Ms. Vanderbeek said. "I think my record speaks for itself. I have really enjoyed working with the board and the membership."

Jessica Jordan, president of the ABA, said the elimination of Ms. Vanderbeek's position was a "difficult decision" but that cutting back was necessary.

"I think with this economy and as a nonprofit organization, we really had to make a decision on how we wanted to spend our limited funds," said Ms. Jordan, also owner of the Paradigm clothing boutique on Main Street. "She worked hard for the organization. I think she truly believed in the downtown businesses and that showed in her work."

The group will now concentrate on volunteer efforts and is looking into hiring an administrative assistant to handle the group's day-to-day tasks, Ms. Jordan said.

In April 2007, Ms. Vanderbeek was announced as the organization's first executive director to market the downtown area and provide a voice for merchants at City Council meetings.

The position was created to bolster the group's presence throughout the region at a time when the ABA didn't have an active president or vice president.

Ms. Vanderbeek, who also owns travel planning firm Vanderbeek Adventures, was hired to help the downtown become more competitive as the city faces competition from outside developments including the new $400 million Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole and the newly expanded Westfield Annapolis mall.

During her tenure, Ms. Vanderbeek helped increase membership to 150 members, raise funds for the group's flower and holiday decorations program and promoted the downtown area through guest editorials and articles in the newspaper, she said.

Since she was hired, the group has seen a huge surge in volunteers and gained an active group of board members, said Ms. Jordan.

Michele Deckman, owner of the Diva boutique at Market Space, became vice president and Ms. Jordan became president last year.

ABA launched several new promotions, including Local Late Nights to promote late downtown shopping as well as Shop and Hop as a precursor to the Midnight Madness holiday events.

But Ms. Vanderbeek's firing comes as downtown has suffered in the recession. The annual Midnight Madness events suffered due to poor weather.

Mike Miron, director of the city's Department of Economic Affairs, said eliminating Ms. Vanderbeek is "a step back for the ABA."

Ms. Vanderbeek has served as a liaison between the ABA and the city, he said.

"I have had a great working relationship with Clare," he said. "I think she brought the city closer to the ABA with her than without her."

Bob Burdon, president and chief executive director of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce, said the firing of Ms. Vanderbeek is certainly going to be a "bump in the road."

"Clare Vanderbeek is a very talented individual and her tenure at the ABA really made a difference," he said. "I'm sure she'll continue to contribute in her own way to the downtown area."

Mr. Burdon said the eliminated position won't be catastrophic for downtown, adding that the ABA has been run by volunteer efforts before.

But the challenges of downtown go way beyond the ABA, he said. Mr. Burdon said the downtown business community has been fractionalized with many different business groups, "each marching to the beat of their own drummer."

Mr. Burdon said his chamber supports the city's new Main Street revitalization program as a way to bring those groups together and compete as a "viable and competitive economic entity."

Ms. Jordan said the ABA doesn't have plans about how the money that supported Ms. Vanderbeek's $1,000 per month salary will be spent. But she said her group hopes to come up with goals to support the downtown business community at its annual meeting.

She said now is the time to step up and volunteer for the ABA.

"We really need to rally our forces," she said.