Leo Dillinger, a former Manayunk Development Corporation veteran with 10 years of community development experience, has been named executive director of Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GU).
Dillinger aims to expand GU's current role to take on the acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant properties along the commercial corridors of Germantown and Chelten Avenues, where empty storefronts and a proliferation of discount retailers have concerned residents who seek more diverse business options.
"As board president of Germantown United CDC, I am thrilled to welcome Leo …
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Leo Dillinger, a former Manayunk Development Corporation veteran with 10 years of community development experience, has been named executive director of Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GU).
Dillinger aims to expand GU's current role to take on the acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant properties along the commercial corridors of Germantown and Chelten Avenues, where empty storefronts and a proliferation of discount retailers have concerned residents who seek more diverse business options.
"As board president of Germantown United CDC, I am thrilled to welcome Leo Dillinger as our new executive director," Julie Stapleton Carroll said. "Leo brings a wealth of experience, energy, and vision to this role, and we are confident in his ability to lead our organization in fostering equitable development, preserving the rich history of Germantown, and supporting our vibrant community."
The appointment comes five months after previous director Emaleigh Doley stepped down. Dillinger, who applied in July, began his new role in November after being selected from a pool of candidates.
Business and residential needs
GU is a community-based nonprofit organization offering programs that support both local businesses and neighborhood residents. Its work centers on commercial corridor revitalization and community economic development through two primary channels: residential services and business assistance.
The residential work helps residents navigate complex issues like deed transfers and utility problems while connecting them to available city and state resources. For businesses, GU provides comprehensive support with licensing, program applications, and advocacy, serving as a crucial bridge between entrepreneurs and government services.
"Prior to taking the communications assistant job in Manayunk, I had no idea that CDCs and Business Improvement Districts existed or the work that they did," Dillinger said. "It's incredible to discover what these organizations can accomplish. They're the boots on the ground and the advocates between the private sector, the public sector, and other community institutions, working to help neighborhoods achieve common goals."
A decade of experience
Born and raised in Glenside, Dillinger graduated from Penn State in 2014 with a degree in journalism and minors in sociology and English. Within a year, he joined the Manayunk Development Corporation as a communications assistant, where he quickly proved his value to the organization.
"We got him right out of college," said Gwen McCauley, executive director of the Manayunk Development Corporation. "He's a great guy, very smart, and he made many grant opportunities for us. He was instrumental in getting us our FEMA funding after Hurricane Ida for the areas that were devastated."
During his tenure in Manayunk, Dillinger progressed to membership coordinator and expanded into operations, taking on increasingly complex responsibilities.
"During the pandemic, I started getting into grant writing and project management," Dillinger said. "This included beautification initiatives and capital improvement projects to make the neighborhood more inviting for residents and visitors. The experience taught me how to manage multiple stakeholders and navigate complex funding opportunities."
A resident of East Mt. Airy for the past four years and an avid hiker drawn to the nearby Wissahickon trails, Dillinger sees unique potential in Northwest Philadelphia.
"Something about Northwest Philly is so unique compared to the rest of the city - the green space, the trees, the trails, the small business communities," he said. "When I saw the job posting in Germantown, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."
Vision for commercial revitalization
Dillinger’s experience in Manayunk prepared him well for this new role, according to McCauley.
"I would have liked to keep him here, but I think he was ready to make the move to the executive director position," she said. "I think he will be a good connection with local government and even federal and state government, to the people who are in that Germantown area."
Looking ahead, Dillinger told the Local that he wants GU to pursue more grant writing for capital improvement projects while developing its real estate acquisition program. The strategy of acquiring and rehabilitating properties has proven successful for other Philadelphia CDCs, creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs while improving the commercial mix in their neighborhoods. He points to the success of similar initiatives by other community development corporations, including Mt. Airy CDC's recent opening of Downtime Bakery in a CDC-owned building.
"There is a fair amount of vacancy on Germantown Avenue and Chelten," Dillinger said. "For businesses to thrive, you need other businesses around them to make it a walkable community and a center for commerce."
However, Dillinger emphasizes that commercial development must be carefully balanced with resident needs.
"With the fears that come along with gentrification, having a residential arm to the CDC is so important, so those residents have a seat at the table at zoning hearings and RCO meetings," Dillinger said. "We need to ensure that our commercial development efforts benefit the entire community and preserve the unique character that makes Germantown special."
Tommy Tucker can be reached at Tommy@ChestnutHillLocal.com