43 Neighborhood Leaders Celebrated at the WDCEP’s Annual Meeting
Contact: Raguel Broy Turner
202.661.8670
October 20, 2006
Washington, D.C.—At its Annual Meeting luncheon and Development Showcase on Tuesday, October 17th, the Washington, DC Economic Partnership honored 43 individuals and institutions within three District of Columbia neighborhoods: the 14th & U Street corridor, Barracks Row and the area comprised of Downtown, Chinatown and Penn Quarter.
The luncheon’s capacity crowd broke into thunderous applause as the honorees- donning bronze medallions took to the stage. A video vignette played in honor of the neighborhood leaders, as Steve Moore, President and CEO of the Washington, DC Economic Partnership explained, “Our Annual Meeting was the perfect setting to thank the people and businesses that have made a difference in the city. Many of them were catalysts for the retail investment we now see in the neighborhoods. Their vision and spirit are the reason that the 14th and U Street corridor is a hot shopping destination and why Barracks Row is infused with lively outdoor cafés.”
Debbi Yogodzinski of Nixon Peabody commented, “Your annual meeting/luncheon was the single best such event I have ever attended in DC…it was entertaining; Just a PERFECT event.”
The neighborhoods were selected by a panel of District business and thought leaders who believed the neighborhoods had successfully addressed the challenges of retaining their distinct character while welcoming and incorporating new development, retail stores and residents. Within each of the neighborhoods, persons and establishments that demonstrated vision, stood as a legacy, exhibited a pioneering spirit or acted as an agent for change in their respective neighborhoods were identified. “I am so honored to be recognized. It’s rare as a business owner to get kudos for the work you do. Thank you for this- it is truly appreciated,” said honoree Jackie Flanagan of Nana.
Below is a list of honorees by neighborhood:
14th & U Street Corridor:
Visionary
- Abdo Development, Jim Abdo
- Carol Felix
- Midtown Association, Scott Pomeroy
- Linda Welch
Legacy
- Ben’s Chili Bowl, Virginia Ali
- Industrial Bank, B. Doyle Mitchell
- Lee’s Flowers & Card Shop, Richard Lee
- John Carlton “Butch” Snipes
Pioneer
- Nana, Jackie Flanagan
- Studio Theatre
- Whole Foods Market
- Dukeum Restaurant
Change Agent
- Bus Boys & Poets, Andy Shallal
- Cake Love, Warren Brown
- Wild Women Wear Red, Toddre Monier & Bill Johnson, Jr.
- The Ellington
Barracks Row:
Visionary
- George Didden III
- Bill McLeod
- Linda Parke Gallagher
Legacy
- Trattoria Alberto
- Chat’s Liquors
- Abstract-Innervision Inc., William C. Rollings & Joann Rollings
- Marine Barracks, Washington, DC
Pioneer
- Banana Café, Jorge Zamorano
- Alvear Studio, Chris Alvear and Francisco Pliego
- Capitol Hill Bikes, Denise D’Amour
- Frame of Mine, Celeste Webb
Change Agent
- Jill Dowling
- Ken Laden
Downtown/Chinatown/Penn Quarter:
Visionary
- Abe Pollin
- PN Hoffman
Legacy
- Reeves Bakery
- Old Ebbitt Grill, Kyle Gaffney
- Tony Cheng, Tony Cheng
- Historic Hecht’s Building
- Weschler’s – Auctioneers & Appraisers Since 1890, Bill Weschler
- Penn Camera
- Ford’s Theatre
Pioneer
- Rich Bradley
- Jaleo, Roberto Alveraz
- Douglas Development, Douglas Jemal
Change Agents
- Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association, Jo-Ann Neuhaus
- Kingdon Gould III
- Riverdale International, Yeni Wong
- The International Spy Museum, Bree Koumparakis
- Herb Miller
The Annual Meeting will air on the District Government’s Cable Television channels 13 and 16 later this month. Photographs of the event can be viewed on the Annual meeting luncheon page.
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The WDCEP is a 501(c)3 non-profit, public/private partnership dedicated to promoting business opportunities throughout DC and contributing to business retention and attraction activities. For more information visit www.wdcep.com/about.