Updated: South Orange Village Taps Executive Director

The South Orange Village Center Alliance has a new director to go with its new look and logo. Lisa Hackett takes the helm as Executive Director on Tuesday.

Hackett served until fall as Downtown Millburn Development Alliance Executive Director.

The  South Orange Village Center Alliance Tuesday released the following:

The Board of Directors of the new South Orange Village Center Alliance has announced the results of their comprehensive search for an Executive Director.   Lisa Hackett, a long-time local area resident who was most recently the Executive Director of the Downtown Millburn Development Alliance  (DMDA), begins in her new role today.

“We had some incredibly talented professionals apply for the position,” said Board Chair Matt Glass who led the search subcommittee, “and Lisa rose to the top as the perfect fit for South Orange and the Alliance.  We’re thrilled that Lisa is bringing her energy, experience and creativity to South Orange and I know she is anxious to get to work with our community to help build a better South Orange Village Center.”

After a long career in media and entertainment with MTV Networks International and NBC Universal, Hackett found her true calling when she volunteered to help Millburn rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Irene.  As the DMDA’s Executive Director, Hackett created and produced events like the hugely successful Girls Night Out which attracted more tan 1,350 shoppers in its second year. She brings to South Orange not only her experience in marketing, branding and events but also her passion for helping small business owners succeed in today’s competitive economy.

 In looking forward to the inaugural year under new leadership, the Alliance’s board also recognizes the person who helped shape the new improvement district and who led the former Main Street South Orange for more than seven years.  “Carole Anzalone-Newman was essential to the success of Main Street and the effective transition to the Alliance,” said Glass.  “Our board thanks Carole for her years of tireless work on behalf of the merchants and residents of South Orange.”

After settling into her new office inside Village Hall, Hackett’s first order of business will be getting to know the merchants, property owners, residents and volunteers that she will serve.  Business owners will get their first opportunity to meet Hackett at the Alliance Business Recruitment and Retention Team’s business owner breakfast at SOPAC on January 31 at 8:00am.  Glass has indicated that another event will be scheduled on an upcoming evening for the entire community to meet the new Executive Director.

The South Orange Village Center Alliance , a group dedicated to improving downtown South Orange for both merchants and shoppers, debuted a fresh website, a Facebook page and new opportunities at a fall event. 

South Orange Village Center Alliance Board Chair Matt Glass introduced the new branding, all of which was paid for through a grant. The new logo, he noted, incorporates the gaslight, the town's initials, and a historic palette of colors. The logo includes the slogan "City Sense, Village Vibe."

"Community first," said Glass. "Then others will follow."

The group replaces Main Street South Orange.

Patch will follow up with an in-depth story about Lisa Hackett in the coming days.