Biemiller to step down as CHBA director

by JAMES STURDIVANT

Chestnut Hill Business Association executive director Suzanne Biemiller has announced that she will be leaving the job after two years in order to return to her former employer, the Pew Charitable Trusts. Her last day with the CHBA will be June 8.

Biemiller said that she was lured back to Pew by a new program matching her skills and interests.

“The Pew board just created a new program in May basically aimed at managing and investing in major civic projects in Philadelphia. I was asked by Pew to manage it. ... it was an offer I couldn’t refuse,” she told the Local this week.

Biemiller oversaw the implementation of several important initiatives during her tenure as executive director, most notably the passing last year by City Council of a Business Improvement District for Chestnut Hill and the formation of a board to plan and oversee BID-funded projects. The past few months have seen the release of a study evaluating parking in Chestnut Hill and a retail market survey conducted by Urban Partners. A streetscape report is set to be released in June or early July. All three were funded by the BID, known as the Chestnut Hill District.

The CHBA also revamped its Web site, began publishing a newsletter for members, expanded its line-up of promotions during the holiday season and worked to expand sponsorships and offerings at its two major yearly festivals, Fall for the Arts and the recently renamed-Home and Garden Festival.

Biemiller said that the CHBA and BID are well-positioned for the immediate future.

“I think the boards of both organizations have been clear in terms of what they want these organizations to work on proactively,” she said. Filling vacancies, implementing the streetscape plan … [the] next director has to be ready.”

“I think the business association is in a really good place.”

In a letter addressed to the business association and the Chestnut Hill District, Biemiller said she leaves “with mixed emotions … excited for my new opportunity, but also sorry to leave my current job.”

“It has been an honor to work with all of you for the past two years and I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished in that time,” she wrote.

The boards of the CHBA and BID have formed a search committee consisting of John Levitties, John Adams, Janet Curtis, John Ingersoll, Tom Ivory, Peggy Miller, Becky Roller and new CHBA president Anne McNalley.

Biemiller said the association hopes to have a new executive director in place by Labor Day.