UPTOWN — Economic development organization Uptown United has a new boss.
Sara Dinges was named president and CEO Monday, the organization announced via news release. She will start the new gig March 25.
For the past four years, Dinges worked as Ald. Harry Osterman's (48th) director of economic development and communications.
"Uptown's future is bright and there is a lot of great momentum on which to build," Dinges said in a release.
Dinges will replace Alyssa Berman-Cutler, who was president of the organization since 2010. Since the middle of February, Wally Rozak, associate director of administration of SSA #34, served as interim director.
Uptown United's new president has nearly 10 years of experience in economic and community development under her belt. Seven of those years were spent in Andersonville, Edgewater and Uptown, the release said.
While working for Osterman's office, Dinges was the "go-to person for business owners, property owners, brokers and developers on issues related to zoning, licensing, financing and how to open a business A-Z," the release said.
She helped create and implement the Argyle streetscape project, a European-style shared street that is coming to Argyle Street, and the Argyle Night Market. She has also worked with the community on CTA construction projects.
Prior to working for the 48th Ward alderman, Dinges was the managing director for the Andersonville Development Corporation for three-and-a-half years. There, she co-developed eco-Andersonville, an environmental initiative, and oversaw work on economic development. She also worked at the citywide level, sitting on retail and business task forces and working closely with city agencies like the Chicago Department of Transportation.
She earned her bachelor's degree in urban studies with a concentration in community development from the University of Pittsburgh. She currently lives in Andersonville with her husband, Peter, and their toddler, Theo.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
