Kacey has been with the SID since 2006. She has helped run the Pearl Market, and she developed a retail recruitment program to bring retail back downtown. As part of that, she has worked with the Gay Street Collaborative on POP Columbus, an upcoming retail pop-up project. Together with community partners, she helped launched the Downtown C-pass program, which provides free bus service to Downtown workers within the Capital Crossroads SID. Kacey graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, community development, and applied economics.

Michelle joined the SIDs in 2015 and supports both special improvement districts with communications and development activities. Most recently, she oversaw the development and implementation of the Welcome Back Downtown campaign in 2021. She has grown Capital Crossroads’ Business Membership program that enables businesses to support the SID’s mission. She also secures sponsorships for the Pearl Market and the Annual Meeting. A downtown resident, she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University.

Marc Conte is the Executive Director of the Capital Crossroads and Discovery Special Improvement Districts. He oversees a combined budget of more than $3 million and manages a staff of six in addition to the contracted ambassador and outreach positions.

Marc has 20 years of experience with urban place management organizations and with the two districts since 2007. He tracks and analyzes the impact of downtown revitalization projects, research that is featured in the SIDs’ annual State of Downtown report. He also handled grant writing, GIS services, management of capital improvement projects in the downtown right-of-way, IT, and human resources.

Marc earned a Master of Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in critical cultural studies from The Ohio State University.

Lisa is one of the original employees of the SID, which launched in 2002. She built the clean and safe program from the ground up, and she oversees an award-winning security network that links the public and private sectors in real time. She also manages the SID’s homeless outreach program. Together, these efforts make Downtown one of the safest areas of the city. Lisa has a bachelor’s in sociology from the College of Wooster and a master’s in urban planning, development and design from Cleveland State University.

Nick manages the Pearl Market – the Downtown farmers’ and merchant’ market in Lynn and Pearl alleys. The seasonal, outdoor market delivers local produce and products to Downtowners twice a week, May through October. He also manages the monthly Moonlight and Sunlight Markets that feature Cbus’ best artisans on Gay Street. Nick has more than 10 years of experience in customer service and retail management focusing on natural food and health and wellness. 

Mark joined the SID in 2018 and brings a wealth of experience to his work with the Downtown C-pass program. His background includes customer service, community relations, event management, teaching, and translation in settings ranging from international travel to K-12 education. Mark is skilled at engaging with customers and managing programs and initiatives. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Indiana University.

As a project coordinator, Eleanor works on a number of activities with the rest of the SID team, including clean and safe, marketing and Downtown C-pass. She helps organize neighborhood and safety meetings, addresses inquiries from property owners, tenants, and residents, and conduct information sessions with downtown employers.

Eleanor was a fellow at the Legislative Service Commission, engaging with constituents and managing constituent concerns, crafting news releases, conducting research and working closely with government agencies to provide resources and aid to constituents in the district. She holds a bachelors degree in Philosophy and German from Muskingum University.