DDP Team
Executive Leadership
Eric B. Larson
Chief Executive Officer
As a past chairman and long-standing board member, Eric was an active member of the DDP before being named CEO in 2014. He is founder of Larson Realty Group, a privately owned company engaged in real estate investment, development, asset management and leasing.
Boards & Organizations
- Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
- Cullen Family Foundation
- DEGA-DEGC
- Detroit 300 Conservancy
- Detroit Grand Prix
- Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
- Detroit Zoological Society
- Fluxus Advisory
- M-1 Rail
- MoGo
- The Parade Company
- The Robert C. Larson Leadership Initiative (Chair)
- Urban Land Institute (ULI) Detroit Governance Committee
Lila Asante-Appiah
Chief Administrative Officer
Lila is an intuitive, results-focused executive and certified professional coach with more than 25 years of experience and expertise in nonprofit administration, human resources, diversity/equity/inclusion (DEI) and organizational development. She received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration and master’s degree in Organizational Development from Roosevelt University in Chicago. Lila is passionate about causes related to economic empowerment, women, children, education, civil rights and social justice and action.
Mike Bruggeman, CPP
Chief Safety and Security Officer
As DDP’s chief safety and security officer, Mike executes an overall safety and security strategy for DDP in collaboration with Downtown Detroit’s network of safety professionals. He serves in leadership roles within the safety community as DDP’s representative, commissioner with the Detroit Crime Commission, and vice chair of the Detroit Public Safety Foundation. Mike is the founder and president of Titan Group USA, a boutique security advisor firm. Mike has a master’s degree from Detroit Mercy and is a board-certified protection professional by American Society for Industrial Security.
Gina Cavaliere
Chief Community Impact Officer; Director, BIZ
Gina joined DDP in 2015 to support the launch of the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone. The team she leads is responsible for the daily operations of the BIZ, DDP’s Safety and Data programs, and many special projects. She has managed municipal authorities and public projects throughout her career. She is a graduate of Michigan State and Wayne State universities and a licensed attorney.
David Cowan
Chief Public Spaces Officer
A native Detroiter, David leads the team that creates over 1,600 events and programs annually across Downtown Detroit’s internationally recognized and award-winning public spaces, designed to create one-of-a-kind experiences for over four million annual visitors. David earned his BFA from Wayne State University in Detroit and MA from American University in Washington, D.C.
Robert F. Gregory
Senior Consultant, Strategy and Public Spaces
Bob is a recognized placemaking expert and also serves as the founding president of the Detroit 300 Conservancy, for the award-winning Campus Martius Park. Before taking on his current role, he was chief planning and public space officer and led the 2014 establishment of the Downtown Detroit BIZ.
Paul Trulik
Chief Financial Officer
Paul is founder and CEO of Apparatus Solutions, a team of strong, experienced professionals who understand the unique accounting, finance, and talent retention needs of the nonprofit community. In addition to his work with the DDP, Paul plays key financial and administrative roles in other regional nonprofits including Business Leaders for Michigan, Detroit Region Aerotropolis Corporation, and Marygrove Conservancy.
DDP & BIZ Staff
KaTaya Beverly
Project Manager, BIZ
KaTaya is a project manager for the BIZ Ambassador team. She ensures the Ambassador program runs smoothly.
Iris Brauer
Development Coordinator
Iris is a graduate of Wayne State University. She serves as DDP’s development coordinator, supporting the organization’s fundraising efforts including the general membership program, grants, online giving, and events. She enjoys working for an organization that is dedicated to advancing Detroit.
Patricia Brown
Office Administrator
Patricia is responsible for vendor management, coordinating office moves, maintaining daily office operations, and negotiating and purchasing office supplies and equipment.
Soula Burns
Director of Corporate Partnerships
Soula is a born and raised Detroiter who brings 25 years of sales and events experience to the DDP, including eight seasons with the Detroit Tigers. Most recently, she was with Bally Sports Detroit. When she’s not working hard to develop meaningful partnerships, you can find her kayaking out on the water with her husband Patrick.
Laura Dean
Senior Manager, Parks and Public Spaces
Laura has been with the DDP since 2017. She coordinates and executes free community programming throughout the DDP’s six parks.
Ryan Epstein
Operations Manager
Ryan has been affiliated with the Downtown Detroit Partnership since 2013. He was operations manager for Clean Detroit and has managed the Business Improvement Zone operations since its inception in 2014. Ryan now is working with the Detroit Grand Prix as operations manager.
Elise Fields
Director Urban Innovation and Operations
Cliff Johnson
Public Spaces Operations Manager
A native Detroiter, Cliff attended Michigan State University but returned to Detroit to become a police officer. He pivoted again in 2003 to join the Detroit Event Team L.L.C. as an operations manager, and then the DDP in 2015 as operations field manager. “It is an honor to work for a company that has assisted with transforming the downtown into a vibrate, diverse, and inclusive area.
Krissy Johnson
Accountant
Krissy has been working for the DDP since 2016.
Talitha Johnson
Director of Communications
Talitha Johnson joined DDP in August as Director of Communications. She will be leading messaging, content development, media and communications strategy for the organization. She is a Detroit native and Wayne State University alum. She brings more than 10 years of experience to her role as DDP’s director of communications. Johnson recently served as marketing manager at Detroit Regional Partnership, where she helped promote the 11-county Detroit Region to regional and national audiences.
Maryann Listman
Director, Governance and Policy
Maryann began her career with DDP over 22 years ago. The opportunity to become part of an organization so vital to Detroit aligned perfectly with Maryann’s love for the City and led to her current role Maryann holds a BS from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy.
Josh Long
Director, Data Programs
Josh received a master’s degree in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan and has worked in the public sector, private sector consulting, and nonprofit data worlds. At DDP, Josh works closely with the City of Detroit, Downtown developers, and business owners to track building development, develop growth metrics, manage special projects, and calculate special assessments.
John Myers III
Director of Operations Public Spaces
John brings more than 20 years of business and operations management experience to the DDP. He has represented some of Metro Detroit’s premier entertainment venues throughout his career. John will play an integral role in supporting the organization’s operations and help to create memories for visitors from around Metro Detroit and beyond.
Mary Riegle
Director, Development
Mary works as the foundation and philanthropic relations partner with direct involvement in sponsorships, individual giving, online giving, and membership.
Anjana Schroeder
Director of Marketing
Anjana leads the marketing and communications efforts for the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone, including small business engagement and the BIZ Ambassadors. She has a passion for storytelling and people, and experience as an award-winning television producer has sharpened her attention to detail and strategic decision-making skills. Anjana has been on the DDP team since October 2017.
DeShawn Singleton
Operations Manager
DeShawn joined the BIZ team in 2021 and has recently been promoted to operations manager. He plays a significant role in the DDP’s safety and security program, overseeing its security vendors, Project Lighthouse initiative, and facilitating collaboration at monthly CompStat meetings. He also leads a team of young interns and high school students by assisting in their professional development.
Sarah Walsh
Senior Events Manager
Sarah Walsh is DDP’s senior events manager who oversees and manages all DDP, BIZ and Parks + Public Spaces events, including Annual Meeting, BIZ Connects, and special Parks Programming.
Kitty Whitfield
Manager, Small Business Engagement
Kitty is a native Detroiter with over 30 years of customer and public service experience. She is devoted to the continued growth of businesses in Detroit.
Claire Wolfington
Accountant
Claire is the accountant for the Detroit 300 Conservancy and enjoys being part of the team that makes great things happen for all in Downtown Detroit!
MoGo Staff
Adriel Thornton
Executive Director
As executive director, Adriel utilizes his expertise in community relations to execute, with the other members of the MoGo team, community interactions, events, and representational opportunities that propel the MoGo brand forward. Adriel is also responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization, fundraising, and more.
Rory Lincoln
Director of Programming & Operations
As director of programming & operations, Rory works closely with MoGo’s operations partner, Shift Transit, and equipment provider, PBSC Urban Solutions, to make sure the system is as user-friendly and efficient as possible. Additionally, Rory manages a number of programs under MoGo For All, an initiative created to ensure equal access for all bike-share users. He became particularly passionate about bikes as a form of equitable transportation while serving in Peace Corps Madagascar.
Jeremy Rosenberg
Director of Marketing and Community Outreach
As marketing and digital media manager, Jeremy manages MoGo’s social media channels and messaging, directs the creation and production of brand marketing collateral, creates targeted marketing campaigns and strategies, and leads the branding, promotional, and public marketing for the organization.
Jacob Graham
Program Manager
As program manager, Jacob manages a number of programs under MoGo For All, an initiative created to ensure equal access for all bikeshare users. He knows that bikes, trikes, and tandems are affordable, safe, and even fast ways to get around and works to increase equitable access to transportation throughout Metro Detroit.