Gartin Named Business Development Director

Ann Arbor SPARK Names James Gartin Executive Director, Business Development
August 24, 2006

Jim Gartin

Ann Arbor SPARK, the driving force in establishing the Ann Arbor region as a destination for business expansion, retention, and location, today announced that James Gartin has been named executive director, business development. In this new role, Gartin will manage Ann Arbor SPARK’s business attraction and retention efforts, cultivating a vibrant and robust business community throughout Washtenaw County.

Prior to joining Ann Arbor SPARK, Gartin served as director, community and economic development, for Ypsilanti Township, Mich. In that position, Gartin was responsible for the Township’s planning and building departments as well as economic development, zoning and planning.

“The addition of a business development director to the Ann Arbor SPARK team helps the organization put in place a vital piece of the puzzle, linking state and local organizations with viable and strategically imperative business opportunities,” said Michael Finney, Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO. “Jim’s experience supports Ann Arbor SPARK’s aggressive business attraction and retention plans; he will work closely with local communities within the Ann Arbor SPARK region to facilitate economic growth. Jim will also coordinate efforts with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to develop the strategies necessary to attract and retain businesses within the Washtenaw County region.”

Gartin’s rich experience includes more than 30 years in real estate and development. He has held management positions with Ann Arbor-based McKinley Associates, Inc., a real estate company with 4.5 million sq. ft. of commercial space and 14,000 apartments operating in 9 states; Chicago-based Rubloff Inc., a national real estate company with 50 million sq. ft. of commercial space under ownership operating in 20 states; and Bonner Inc., a local development company of office, retail, apartments and industrial properties in Columbus, Ohio.

Gartin, who was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps., earned a bachelor of science in business administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. Gartin also completed social work studies at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

ABOUT ANN ARBOR SPARK
Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is the driving force in establishing the Ann Arbor region as a destination for business expansion, retention, and location by identifying and meeting the needs of business at every stage, from startups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK represents all communities in the Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, the Herbert and Grace Dow Foundation, Pfizer, Washtenaw County, the City of Ann Arbor, the Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborSPARK.org.