St. Charles business group gets new faces

The Downtown St. Charles Partnership has added several new faces to its team.

The nonprofit organization, which promotes business in and around downtown, recently announced the hiring of Deanna Chrones as communications director and the election of four new members to its board of directors.

In her new role, Chrones is responsible for writing press releases and heading up other communications, such as working with partnership members, recruitment and event promotions.

"With all the revitalization that is going on in downtown St. Charles, working with the DSCP makes you feel you are a part of history," said Chrones, who last worked as president and creative director of Advercopia Creative, a marketing and product development company founded locally. She has degree in business administration in marketing from Loyola University Chicago.

"Though she's only been here a short time, I'm already very impressed with (Chrones') work," said Executive Director David Richards, who also is a city alderman. "She's contributed new ideas, pitched in wherever help was needed and shown the kind of marketing skills that made me hire her in the first place. We're extremely happy to have her here."

Also joining the ranks are new board members Nancy Brackmann, Julie Farris, Sue McDowell and Bob Strasser. The slate brings a variety of professional backgrounds to the partnership.

Brackmann is vice president and senior fiduciary office of JP Morgan, where she's worked 13 years. Farris is owner and president of Pottawatomie Popcorn Co., which is celebrates its second anniversary in May.

McDowell is vice president of McDowell Remodeling, where she's worked 18 years. Strasser, a former president of the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce, is the Daily Herald's advertising manager for Kane County. He has worked for the newspaper 15 years.

"I see such great passion and enthusiasm from our new members, as well as from our existing members," McDowell, who has served on the board in the past, said in a news release. "I'm thrilled that we'll be able to capitalize on all that passion to help ensure a strong future for downtown St. Charles."

For more information about the partnership, call (630) 513-5386 or log onto www.dtown.org.