New Executive Director For South Orange Village Center Alliance

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ – The South Orange Village Center Alliance (SOVCA) has named Julie Doran as their new Executive Director, effective Aug. 19. Doran joins SOVCA, the nonprofit organization that manages South Orange’s downtown special improvement district, after spending nearly a decade in Maplewood as Manager of the Springfield Avenue Partnership and the Maplewood Village Alliance.

“I am excited to take on a new set of challenges and responsibilities, and to continue my work in downtown development in this community which I feel a special connection to," Doran said. "I lived in South Orange for 20 years; I’ve raised my kids here. South Orange is a unique and special place and I am excited to work on our downtown initiatives.”

Doran will continue the Board’s efforts to create a vibrant downtown through beautification, placemaking, business retention, recruitment, advocacy and events. She will build on the board’s recent achievements such as the Under Cover Music Fest, which raised considerable funds to put back into beautifying downtown South Orange, and other projects including the recent refresh of Spiotta Park, window coverings at the former Blockbuster space, fresh planters, and public art.

Doran will report to incoming board chair Mark Murphy, who replaces outgoing chair Steven Pedigo as he relocates out of state.

“Julie Doran is an accomplished professional with a proven track-record of success. We are so excited to collaborate with her and to have her working directly with our business community,” said Murphy. “We know that she will be a fierce advocate for our businesses and will work to bring significant positive change to our Village. This change will not only benefit our businesses but South Orange residents and visitors to our great town. The SOVCA board is thrilled.”

Joining Murphy, owner of Mark Murphy’s Music, on the newly elected executive team are Deborah Engel, founder and owner of Work and Play as vice chair, Michael Maza, South Orange resident, as secretary, Mark Hartwyk, Executive Director of the South Orange Parking Authority, as treasurer and Trustee Steven Schnall, who will continue his role as the Board of Trustees liaison to SOVCA.

For more information, visit sovillagecenter.org.

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