City of Evanston Appoints New Staff

Information from the City of Evanston.

Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz announced the appointment of Mark Muenzer as Director of Community Development and a reorganization of that department, shifting the Economic Development Division to the City Manager’s Office.

Muenzer comes to Evanston from the City of Chicago where he has served as the Manager of the Zoning Board of Appeals in the Department of Housing and Economic Development since 2011.  Prior to that assignment, he held other positions in the Chicago Housing and Economic Development Department since 2006.  From 2002 to 2006, Muenzer served as Director of Community Development in Countryside, Illinois.  Muenzer earned a Master of Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati and Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Gannon University in Pennsylvania.

“With Muenzer’s hiring and the reorganization of department into the Department of Community Development, I am also announcing today the appointment of Johanna Nyden as Economic Development Division Manager,” Bobkiewicz said.

New Economic Development Manager

Nyden has been an Economic Development Coordinator with the City of Evanston since 2010.  Prior to her time with the city, Nyden served as a private planning consultant from 2006 to 2009. Nyden, an Evanston native and graduate of Evanston Township High School, earned a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Nyden is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

“Mark Muenzer brings to the City of Evanston an excellent track record as a manager and planner.  His work in Chicago has brought him exceptional experience in dealing with all aspects and stake holders involved in the planning process.  This experience will serve Evanston well as the community considers new development projects and works to maintain high design and quality of life standards.  Mark will also be instrumental in our work with various important sustainable community initiatives,” Bobkiewicz said.

“Johanna Nyden has been the catalyst behind many of our key economic development projects over the past several years.  Her ability to put together deals is her hallmark.  With Mark’s strengths in planning and zoning, it is important to once again allow the Department of Community Development to focus on its core missions that include housing and building inspection and allow our strong economic development team to work as part of the City Manager’s Office,” Bobkiewicz said.

Muenzer starts on August 12, 2013 and Nyden begins her new duties under the reorganization immediately.