Downtown Grand Rapids Inc (DGRI) has added to its team of city building experts and professionals dedicated to growing a vital, dynamic, welcoming and inclusive Downtown neighborhood.

DGRI appointed LaTarro Traylor to the position of Community Relations Coordinator and Annamarie Buller to the position of Stakeholder Engagement Specialist.

DGRI also promoted Murphy Ackerman to the position of Office Manager. Mary Sierawski recently resigned her post as DGRI’s Human Resources and Office Manager and moved to a new role at the Downtown Grand Rapids Market.

“LaTarro and Annamarie are outstanding additions to our DGRI team who bring great knowledge, relationships and passion that will help us facilitate an exciting period of growth for Downtown Grand Rapids,” said DGRI President and CEO Kristopher Larson. “Murphy has been a key part of the DGRI organization’s startup and success. This well-earned increase in responsibility makes her an even more integral member of our team.”

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. is the organization responsible for city building and place-management in the City of Grand Rapids’ urban core. Established in 2013, DGRI serves as the singular management entity for the combined operations of the Downtown Development Authority, the Downtown Improvement District and the Monroe North Tax Increment Finance Authority.

The new hires bring DGRI’s management staff to a total of 10 professionals focused on promoting investment, vitality and a high quality of life in Downtown Grand Rapids. 90 percent of the DGRI staff lives in the City of Grand Rapids and 80 percent live in Downtown or a Downtown-adjacent neighborhood.

In her new role as Community Relations Coordinator, LaTarro Traylor works to build bridges between Downtown, Grand Rapids’ neighborhoods, and the broader West Michigan community. Her role is to expand, broaden and strengthen the people, businesses, community leaders and civic organizations who are aware of, and meaningfully engaged in, DGRI’s place management and city building work.

Prior to joining DGRI, Ms. Traylor held posts at the consulting firm Proponents, Grand Rapids Community College, and the Literacy Center of West Michigan. She currently serves as a gubernatorial-appointee to the Michigan Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity, on the Kent County Friend of the Court Citizen Advisory Committee, as well as on the Boards of Directors for Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and Dwelling Place.

In her new role as Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, Annamarie Buller works to build and maintain relationships and collaborations with Downtown merchants, residents, businesses and property owners.

Prior to joining DGRI, Ms. Buller held posts at Planned Parenthood of West Michigan, Frederik Meijer Gardens, and the Grand Rapids Symphony. She also supported revitalization of the Heartside neighborhood in her position as Mainstreet Manager at Dwelling Place, where she currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors.

In her new role as Office Manager, Murphy Ackerman serves as the point person for all DGRI office operations and procedures. She also serves as the official Recording Secretary for the Downtown Development Authority, the Downtown Improvement District and the Monroe North Tax Increment Finance Authority, as well as DGRI’s Alliances for Investment, Livability and Vibrancy.

Ms. Ackerman previously held the post of Administrative Assistant. DGRI currently is accepting applications to fill this position until August 28, 2015.