Committees

The Board of the El Paso Downtown Management District may establish committees for the purpose of providing special attention on specified projects, programs, services, and/or operations. Committee members are appointed by the Executive Committee and may include At-Large Members. Below is a list of DMD established Committees, their charters, and current membership.

Executive Committee: Responsibilities are to serve as a governance body for the organization; provide guidance and feedback to the Executive Director on day-to-day operational matters and on strategic goals of the organization. Members: Steve Ortega (President), Mark Osborn (Vice-President), Yolanda Giner (Secretary), Arlene Carroll (Treasurer), Peter Spier and Nadia Baem.

Finance Committee: Responsibilities are to: prepare and recommend an annual budget for the organization;, expense review, check and balances, accounting/reporting oversight, provide investments reports as mandated by law, and recommend adoption of an investment policy annually. Members: Arlene Carroll (Treasurer), Peter Spier, Cynthia Ortwein, Kristi Daugherty and Joanne Richardson.

Economic & Residential Development Committee: Reviews grant applications and develops project, program and services to support residential development and small business investment. Members: Pacelli Mesta (Chair), Eric Pearson, Daniela Caro, Michael Parra, Patrick Merrick, Guillermo Garcia, Daniela Quesada (City Architect), Mirella Craigo (City/TRIZ), Karina Brasgalla (City/TIRZ), Providencia Velasquez (City/Historic), Bill Helm (At-Large), Pedro Galicia (At-Large), Bobby Blanco (At-Large) and Ricardo Fernandez (At-Large).

Marketing, Events & Messaging Committee: Oversee and provide input on the marketing, advertising, and promotional efforts of the organization. Members: Bill Burton (Chair), Eric Pearson, Brad Taylor, Jose Garcia, Michael Kelly (At-Large) and Gracie Viramontes (At-Large).

Infrastructure & Advocacy Committee: Monitors ongoing physical improvements within the downtown, oversees the DMD’s sanitation efforts, and identifies issues and positions where the DMD’s advocacy is needed. Members: Nadia Baem (Chair), Mark Osborn, Kristi Daugherty, Maxey Scherr, John Martin (At-Large), Ryan Paulk (At-Large), Tim Mallardi (At-Large), Stephanie Nebhan (At-Large), Louis Edwards (At-Large) and Commander Tom Peña (At-Large).

Special Assessment Evaluation Committee (temporary): Will evaluate the current assessment rate, current and future revenue generation, and program needs to enable fulfillment of the organization’s strategic plan. Members: Steve Ortega, Bill Burton, Arlene Carroll, Yolanda Giner, Michael Parra and Peter Spier.

Each committee meets monthly within the DMD offices at 201 E. Main Street, Suite 107, with the exception of the Marketing, Events and Messaging Committee 2024 Board & Committee Meeting Schedule for the complete meeting schedule.