Des Plaines names economic development director

Des Plaines City Manager Michael Bartholomew Wednesday announced the appointment of Alexander Dambach as the city’s new director of community and economic development. Dambach’s first day on the job is Sept. 17. He previously served as director of policy, planning, and development in East Orange, N.J., and before that as supervising planner for Newark, N.J., for nine years. Dambach has earned the American Institute of Certified Planners designation and is licensed as a professional planner. He is an executive board member of the American Planning Association and has served as the Northeast Area Representative for the New Jersey chapter. Dambach was one of 50 candidates who applied for the position. “He brings with him knowledge and experience in the area of redevelopment, transit oriented development strategies, and community revitalization and will be an asset to our team,” said Bartholomew, who relinquished the post of director of community and economic development when he was appointed city manager on April 2.