Peter Maraglia

JAMESTOWN – Peter Miraglia has been appointed interim executive director of the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation (JRC) following the resignation of Lisa Hatch, effective Oct. 9.

The JRC is a non-profit organization that supports the implementation of downtown, waterfront and neighborhood revitalization strategies in Jamestown.

Peter has been an active member of the JRC board of directors for the past 3 years and serves on the urban core and neighborhood revitalization subcommittees. He also serves on the Mayor’s ad-hoc downtown parking study.

In 2001 Peter purchased and began renovations of the former Nelson’s Department store building located on East 2nd Street in Jamestown. The building currently houses several prominent businesses including Chautauqua Music, Afloral.com and Studio D Catering.

Peter was born in Jamestown and grew up in the local area. He holds a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice from Buffalo State College and completed 30 hours of graduate studies at George Washington University. Peter gained extensive project management and supervisory experience throughout a career that spanned more than 30 years in federal government agencies, including five years as an active duty officer in the U.S. Coast Guard.

In 2012, Peter moved back to Jamestown with his wife Melissa. As native of the Jamestown area, Peter is excited to take an active role in the revitalization of his hometown.

At Jamestown Renaissance Corporation we make Jamestown better through inspiration, action, and celebration. For more information about JRC, please visit jamestownrenaissance.org.

On Thursday JRC Executive Director Lisa Hatch presented the outline of the JRC Ambassador Program to the city’s Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission, saying downtown businesses will need to be prepared for an influx of out-of-town visitors when the National Comedy Center opens later this year, and that means making a positive first impression.

“We only have one chance to make that first impression,” Hatch explained. “If somebody Googles or Yelps or puts something online saying they had a miserable time because they had a cold sandwich or were treated rudely, it’s going to impact and the impact of a bad review could be colossal to the whole project.”

As a result of trying to make a positive first impression, Hatch said the JRC will be launching its Ambassador program, which will focus on working with 33 different businesses in the downtown over the coming months.

“The goal of the program is to create a low-cost yet efficient method so that our guests would be led to knowledgeable, trained people who can offer excellent interactions, and those people are our brick and mortar business owners. So our goal is to have business owners help create an even more welcoming environment so when people leave here  they feel safe and welcome,” Hatch said.

A component of the Ambassador program will be an online training session for participating businesses at no cost to them. IN addition, signage that will highlight the downtown ambassadors will also be installed, either on the sidewalk, in store front windows, and/or hanging over the entrance of a business.

Hatch said all the details are just about worked out and the JRC will begin engaging with downtown businesses in the coming weeks. That engagement will include invitations to upcoming meetings, promotions through social media and traditional news media, and in-person outreach at various business locations.

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Originally airing on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017.

WRFA public affairs director Jason Sample talks with Lisa Hatch, the new executive director of the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation.

Lisa Hatch

Lisa Hatch

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Renaissance Corporation has announced that Lisa Hatch has been hired as Executive Director for the organization.

Hatch is a native of Buffalo and a 1994 graduate of Fredonia State.

After graduation she spent 25 years working in healthcare, most recently as Administrative Director at Roswell Park. Lisa, her partner Sharon Przyblak, and their dogs are in the process of relocating to the Jamestown area.

JRC also hired Zachary Agett as the organization’s new Marketing and Events Manager. His role will focus on promoting local businesses and attractions through the Jamestown Up Close initiative. In addition, he will manage JRC events and cultivate partnerships with organizations that support community revitalization activities.

In addition to the new additions to the staff, the JRC recently completed its relocation to the third floor of the Lynn Building at 301 E Second Street.

For more information on Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, please visit www.jamestownrenaissance.org or www.jamestownupclose.com.