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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Names Robert Nellams as Seattle Center Director
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
11/22/2006 10:00:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
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Mayor Names Robert Nellams as Seattle Center Director
Experienced leader will guide efforts to renew & revitalize
the nation’s
best gathering place
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels announced today that he has nominated Robert
Nellams as Seattle Center Director.
Nickels praised Nellams - who is currently the Center’s acting director
- as the person with the right experience, commitment and vision to lead the
city’s cultural gathering place during a pivotal time in its history.
“Seattle Center is a special place and Robert understands the vital
role it plays in heart and soul of our city,” Nickels said. “He
has worked for more than a decade to make Seattle Center the nation’s
best gathering place. I believe he has the passion and vision to guide it to
an even brighter future. He knows what needs to get done and he is ready to
get started.”
Seattle Center welcomes 12 million visitors every year. It is a major economic
contributor to the region and provides a tremendous public value with its open
space, festivals and rich diversity.
“This is an incredible opportunity and a wonderful challenge,” Nellams
said. “My mission is to make Seattle Center the best place it can be
- for everyone in this city. I’m excited to build upon the great work
that is already under way.”
Seattle Center has enjoyed a tremendous amount of public and private investment
in recent years, including construction of McCaw Hall and the Experience Music
Project. It is home to Seattle’s iconic Space Needle and to nationally
renowned festivals, such as Bumbershoot and Folklife. This year, the city’s
Pride festival and the youth-oriented arts and music organization Vera Project
relocated to Seattle Center.
Seattle Center also faces some challenges, including the future of KeyArena
and updating other areas of the campus.
In an effort to build on momentum at Seattle Center, Nellams will be working
with the Mayor’s Century 21 Committee, a citizen group charged with defining
how the Center should evolve over the next two decades. The committee will
consider everything from facilities to programs.
“Seattle is changing; almost a third of our residents lived somewhere
else five years ago,” Nellams said. “Seattle Center must be flexible
enough to change, too.”
Nellams will replace Virginia Anderson, who retired earlier this year. His
appointment is subject to confirmation by the City Council.
He began his public service career in 1982 as an accountant with the city
soon after graduating from Central Washington University. He joined Seattle
Center in 1996 as director of patron services. He was promoted to deputy director
in 1998, a position he filled until he was named acting director in May.
During his years at Seattle Center, Nellams has worked closely with the many
organizations using the campus for arts, culture, sporting and entertainment
events. He has overseen the nearly 1,000 employees of Seattle Center.
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s
inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity
and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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Office of the Mayor
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