Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll Announces Tom Daniel as New Director of Planning and Community Development

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll today announced that Tom Daniel has been appointed to serve as the City’s new Director of Planning and Community Development. Tom returns to the City of Salem having previously served as the economic development planner in the Department from 2007 to 2013, when he left to take the position of Director of the Community Development Department for the City of Gloucester.

 

In Gloucester Tom managed a 12-person department responsible for the planning, economic development, housing, and conservation functions of the City. Prior to his time in Salem, Tom served as economic development manager for the City of Minneapolis.

 

During his previous tenure in Salem, Tom was instrumental in several important planning efforts, including the downtown market study and action plan, the comprehensive parking plan, and the beginning phases of the public art master plan, among others. As the City’s economic development planner he played a key role in downtown Salem’s resurgence as an active center for retail, dining, and cultural attractions.

 

Tom is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and is certified in housing development and economic development financing by the National Development Council. He holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota.

 

“Tom is someone who will truly hit the ground running in this critical role,” said Mayor Driscoll. “He is familiar with our City, our neighborhoods, and our values. Before he left for Gloucester, Tom led numerous planning efforts here in Salem. The growth of our commercial sector, from innovative small businesses to restaurants to larger companies, is thanks in large part to his work in the department previously. Since then his expertise and experience has only grown and broadened even further. I am excited to welcome Tom back to Salem in this important role.”

 

“I am thrilled to be rejoining the City of Salem as the Director of Planning and Community Development,” said Tom. “Salem is a community rich in so many ways. I look forward to working with Mayor Driscoll and the community to help the city continue to move forward.”

 

Tom will begin in the first week of August. His appointment will be submitted to the City Council for their confirmation at their July 21^st regular meeting.

 

Salem’s Department of Planning and Community Development works to provide a strong, comprehensive approach for the future development of the City through a wide range of activities. These include economic development efforts, land use planning, housing policy, transportation improvement projects, historic preservation, public art, open space conservation, and neighborhood improvement efforts.