Sandusky hires new neighborhood director

SANDUSKY — Sandusky officials on Monday appointed Colleen Gilson as the city government's new chief neighborhood development officer. Gilson most recently served as the vice president of CDC Advancement at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress. "We are excited to welcome Colleen to Sandusky," city manager Eric Wobser said. "In this new position, Colleen will lead the city's efforts in continuing to revitalize our neighborhoods. We are fortunate to be able to bring someone with her level of skill and experience to do this important work." This position boasts many responsibilities all circling back to leading community development efforts across Sandusky's neighborhoods. This would include community engagement, housing rehabilitation, commercial corridor revitalization and program administration. "I am thrilled to be joining the team of highly visionary and energetic men and women who work daily to make Sandusky the amazing city it is," Gilson said. "My years of experience will be put to diligent and thoughtful use as I assume the role of chief neighborhood development officer. Community engagement is paramount to continuing the wave of development success in the city's many neighborhoods." Gilson, a native of Cleveland and present-day resident of Marblehead, has amassed more than 25 years of experience in neighborhood development. Prior to her time at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, she served as the executive director of the Cleveland Neighborhood Development Coalition and the executive director of the Tremont West Development Corp. In 2018, Gilson was named CDC Staff Person of the Year by the Ohio CDC Association. This marks the first person in city government to specifically oversee neighborhoods in quite some time. The late Talon Flohr, who died in 2021, last served as Sandusky's neighborhood outreach coordinator.