Michael Edwards, who was CEO of the Downtown Spokane Partnership before taking a similar job in Pittsburgh, will become the head economic development director for Chicago's downtown Loop district.

Edwards will be the executive director of the Chicago Loop Alliance, Edwards, 53, will be charge of economic development efforts for the Loop, Chicago’s downtown business core. He will oversee a budget of $2.7 million and a staff of seven.

In 2005 Edwards took the head job at the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. He remained there for six years, returning to Spokane last year.

In the past year, Edwards moved back to Washington and served as an economic development consultant, most recently for the City of Spokane.

Edwards starts the new job this week.

Edwards is a member of the International Downtown Association and National Parks and Recreation Association, and holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Michael Edwards, who was CEO of the Downtown Spokane Partnership before taking a similar job in Pittsburgh, has landed an economic development job in Chicago.

Edwards will be the executive director of the Chicago Loop Alliance, Edwards, 53, will be charge of economic development efforts for the Loop, Chicago’s downtown business core. He will oversee a budget of $2.7 million and a staff of seven.

In 2005 Edwards took the head job at the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. He remained there for six years, returning to Spokane last year.

In the past year, Edwards moved back to Washington and served as an economic development consultant, most recently for the City of Spokane.

Edwards starts the new job this week.

Edwards is a member of the International Downtown Association and National Parks and Recreation Association, and holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

A homegrown guy who later worked in Colorado and the Seattle area has been named the new Downtown Spokane Partnership president.

Mike Tedesco will begin his job in mid-October. He takes over the position left by Marty Dickinson, who left for a position with Sterling Savings Bank.

Tedesco was selected following a national search. After growing up in Spokane and graduating from Lewis and Clark High School, Tedesco worked in Pueblo, Colo., focusing on urban and economic development.

Most recently Tedesco has been the Puget Sound Attractions Council executive director.

He has a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Kansas and a bachelor's degree in geography from the University of Idaho.

A little biographical note not included when DSP sent out its release:  Tedesco pulished a book called “The Official Bureaucrat's Guide For Navigating the Bureaucracy.” The self-published book can be ordered through this link.

Marty Dickinson is leaving the Downtown Spokane Partnership to become senior vice president and corporate marketing communications executive at Sterling Savings Bank.

Her last day at the DSP, where she has been president for six years, will be July 1.

Marla Nunbeg was named interim president by the DSP executive board of directors.

Dickinson said the opportunity to work for Sterling, a Fortune 500 company, was one she could not pass up, but added that the decision was a difficult one.

“There are a few lucky individuals that have the chance to have a job they love so much that it is really not a job at all,” she said.

Dickinson said she takes particular satisfaction in development downtown, and in the University District.

DSP Board Chairman Mark Aden noted Dickinson's efforts to find new housing for low-income residents displaced by redevelopment at the Madison and Otis apartments.