Downtown Milford names Trish Gerken executive director

The board of directors of Downtown Milford Inc. has named Milford resident and 2005 Milford High School graduate Patricia Gerken as its new executive director, effective Monday, Sept. 23. Gerken joins DMI with more than five years of experience in the nonprofit and public sectors.

Most recently, she served as site supervisor of Buena Vista in New Castle, a nationally registered historic site where former U.S. Secretary of State John Clayton and Delaware Gov. Clayton Douglass Buck resided.

Prior to that, she did marketing, event and retail coordination for the Delaware State Parks and volunteer coordination at the Delaware Agriculture Museum and Village.

With a passion for historic preservation, several years of successful event and programming oversight, and experience in volunteer management, grant writing, marketing and social media, Gerken comes to DMI with the qualifications and energy needed to move the organization and Downtown Milford forward.

Murrie Zlotziver, DMI’s previous executive director, resigned in May, and Causey Mansion Bed & Breakfast owner Joe Phillips filled in as interim executive director. The DMI board members are grateful for Phillips’ service.

“We are excited to have someone of Trish’s experience and enthusiasm to bring a new perspective to DMI, and our mission of promoting and advancing Milford’s downtown,” said Peggy Reilly, president of the DMI board of directors.

Gerken’s primary responsibilities will be to advocate for and build awareness of DMI’s goals and activities, and to work closely with all of DMI’s many partners and stakeholders to promote the civic, commercial, and cultural development of Milford’s downtown. She will be in training within her first week and will work with volunteers to recap the Largest Celebration of Women in Music, the 2nd Annual Milford Ladybug Music Festival, happening downtown Saturday, Sept. 21.

“Milford has so much to offer – rich in history, eclectic art and a beautiful Riverwalk; it’s no surprise Milford was named 2018 Village of the Year,” said Gerken. “I am looking forward to continuing our flagship events, such as the Bug and Bud Festival and farmers market, and working with local business owners and the City of Milford to continue to make our downtown an inviting, fun and thriving place for all."

To reach Gerken, email director@downtownmilford.org, call 302-839-1180 or visit the office at 207 S. Walnut St.