Holly names new Downtown Development Authority director

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Hope Ponsart

HOLLY, Michigan – After nearly 8 months without a director, Holly’s Downtown Development Authority once again has a person at its helm – Holly resident, Hope Ponsart.

Ponsart replaces former DDA Director Suzanne Perreault who resigned from the village of Holly last January after accepting the DDA director position in Lake Orion.

Ponsart, 48, moved to Holly with her husband, Tom 5 years ago and said it was Holly’s rural appeal that lured the couple from Royal Oak. “We wanted to be in the country – to have more space,” Ponsart said. “I grew up in a small town in Massachusetts so that aspect of Holly really appeals to me, too.”

Having worked for Detroit’s Channel 7 for 15 years, Ponsart anticipates her vast experience in radio/television production and marketing to be a great asset to her in her new role as DDA director.

“When I heard about the DDA director position, I thought it would be great to work for the community in which I live,” Ponsart said. “I love Holly and have attended several community events like the Dickens Festival and have always thought, ‘Gosh, wouldn’t it be cool if they did this,’ or things like that – now I’ll have the chance to do that.”

Ponsart said she especially looks forward to working with Holly business owners. “One of the first things I’m going to do is to get with Holly business owners, talk to them,” she said. “I want to find out their needs and objectives and then help them achieve those objectives,” she said.

Additionally, Ponsart said she is eager to begin working with Bob Donohue, Program Coordinator for Main Street Oakland County.

"One thing I'd like to begin looking into is possibly working with other Main Street communities and exploring ways for us to collaborate,” Ponsart said. “It would be great if we could figure out a way to possibly create hometown Main Street videos to be used in business packages, television commercials or on Web sites.”

Ponsart will earn $32,000 per year and will receive one week of paid vacation after working three months for the village of Holly. In addition, Ponsart will have the option of taking three more unpaid weeks of vacation throughout the year so that she may periodically visit her elderly mother in Massachusetts. She is scheduled to begin the job on Sept. 13.

“I hope I can make a difference,” Ponsart said. “I don’t view this position as a personal stepping stone – I’m looking forward to growing in the job along with the community and I’m absolutely committed to it.”