The board for Washington Gateway Main Street (WGMS) announced that it has hired Liza Quinonez as its new acting director after the departure of former director Andrew Malloy.
WGMS is one of the oldest Main Streets programs in the city, and Quinonez brings an extensive art background and organizing. She and her husband, Victor, were very involved last year in the re-painting of the Peters Park Graffiti Wall. That experience went so well for many in WGMS, which helped to fund the effort, that Quinonez was high on their radar screen.
“On behalf of the board of directors and Design Review Committee of Washington Gateway Main Street (WGMS), we wish to formally welcome Liza Quinonez to the WGMS community,” read a statement from the board. “Liza will be serving as the acting director tasked at creating a strategic plan for the organization. Driven, passionate and a true ‘go-get-her’ is how to best describe her, the quality of her work speaks for itself.”
The board statement was signed by board President Kristin Phelan of KP Strategies and long –time board member Randy Lathrop.
Quinonez has been working for more than 15 years in art curation, design, communications, experiential retail, fundraising and other activities. The board said they believed she would bring a new way of thinking about building effective and fiscally responsible programs that are energetic and creative.
“On behalf of all of us involved with WGMS, thank you to the South End community for your commitment and generous support over the years,” read the statement. “We look forward to working with you as we take this organization to the next level, supporting local businesses, residents, and expanding public art in the neighborhood.”