Personnel changes are continuing for The Gateway to Milwaukee, which now has its third executive director in the past year.
Leif Otteson is the new executive director. He most recently served as a community organizer for the Riverworks Development Corp. and the Harambee Great Neighborhood Initiative. Over the years, Otteson has worked in affordable housing development, community economic development and neighborhood planning.
Otteson says he looks forward to working closely with area businesses, public officials, residents and other stakeholders to continue the Gateway’s collaborative effort toward a prosperous, connected airport business district on the south side of Milwaukee County.
The Gateway to Milwaukee also has hired Stacy Amstadt as its community outreach manager. Amstadt, a native Milwaukeean, graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with a degree in professional strategic communications in May 2013. She has held several internships, working for the Chicago Fire Soccer Club, Greater Twin Cities United Way and Westown Association.
Otteson succeeds Jim Tarantino, who left to become economic development director of Milwaukee County. Tarantino succeeded Tom Rave, who retired.
“Over the last five years, it has been my genuine pleasure to serve The Gateway to Milwaukee as an intern, project coordinator, accountant, landscaper, researcher, patrol officer, event planner, and eventually executive director,” Tarantino said. “Looking back, I have a great sense of pride in the accomplishments that I was a part of and the progress that this organization has made in revitalizing Milwaukee’s airport area. I also think of the many people that I have met who have selflessly given days, weeks and months of their time supporting our efforts through board or committee involvement. It is because of the continued involvement of these caring individuals, and my great faith in the abilities of Leif and Stacy, that I am certain The Gateway will continue to thrive in my absence.”
