Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone Announces 2026 Executive Committee and Officers

DETROIT – The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone (BIZ), governed by a dedicated Board of Directors representing Downtown property owners, is pleased to announce new leadership roles assumed by members of its board of directors:

• Jennifer Dewey, counsel, vehicle sales, service and marketing, General Motors, has been appointed to the board and named vice chair. Dewey succeeds Debra Homic Hoge following Hoge’s distinguished tenure as a leader on the BIZ board from its launch in 2014 until her retirement from GM. Hoge was also instrumental in the establishment of the Rivertown BIZ.
• Steven Pecic, senior director of facilities management, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, has been elected treasurer of the BIZ board.
• Athina Papas, executive at the Atheneum Suites Hotel and chair and president of the Greektown Neighborhood Partnership, joins the executive committee after more than six years of service as a BIZ board member.

The following members will continue serving on the BIZ executive committee:

• Steve Ogden, senior vice president of government affairs, Bedrock Detroit, continues as BIZ board chair.
• Mike McLaughlin, vice president of governmental relations, Ilitch Companies, continues as BIZ board secretary.
• George Barnes, owner of Heritage Optical Center, continues as an executive committee member. Barnes is a founding member of the BIZ and has served since its inception.
• Tony Tomczak, founder of Tomczak, LLC, continues as an executive committee member.

These are annual appointments made by the BIZ board of directors. The Downtown Detroit BIZ executive committee provides strategic leadership and governance oversight to support the organization’s mission of maintaining a clean, safe and welcoming Downtown environment. It is a recommending body, with all decisions made by the full BIZ board at meetings that are open to the public.

The BIZ board of directors is made up of a diverse group of Downtown Detroit stakeholders and property owners committed to creating a vibrant Downtown that is clean, safe and welcoming for all. Its mission is to deliver an exceptional public realm through ongoing and thoughtful beautification. Adaptability remains crucial as the organization navigates the changes and growth of Detroit’s urban landscape.

“Over the past 12 years, the Downtown BIZ has delivered measurable impact because of the steady leadership and commitment of its board of directors,” said Gina Cavaliere, BIZ executive director and chief community impact officer of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. “Jennifer Dewey, Steven Pecic and Athina Papas bring deep expertise and a strong commitment to Downtown. Their leadership will further strengthen the BIZ board and help advance the BIZ’s mission in meaningful and lasting ways.”

“Downtown Detroit’s continued momentum is the result of strong collaboration, shared accountability and a clear vision for the future,” said Steve Ogden, senior vice president of government affairs at Bedrock Detroit, and chair of the BIZ board. “The strength of the BIZ lies in the commitment of our property owners and the leadership of our board. We are pleased to acknowledge these accomplished leaders whose expertise and perspective will help guide our work and ensure Downtown remains vibrant, welcoming and economically strong.”

The Downtown BIZ is dedicated to enhancing the overall appeal of Downtown Detroit through services, including hospitality, data, landscape maintenance, marketing, cleaning, supplemental lighting, safety and urban planning. The BIZ is governed by a volunteer board of directors that contracts with the Downtown Detroit Partnership to manage its day-to-day operations.

For the complete list of BIZ board members, visit downtowndetroit.org/biz.