GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – City Manager Mark Washington has announced the appointment of two new directors to the city's administrative team following an extensive nationwide search. Sarah Latta Rainero, a 16-year veteran at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), will take up the vacant economic development director position. Jessica Smith, a 15-year transportation professional from Anchorage, Alaska, will fill the vacant Mobile GR director position.
Sarah Latta Rainero, who has served in various roles at MEDC ranging from managing director of regional development to regional director and manager for the community assistance team, will lead Grand Rapids’ economic development efforts. Her previous responsibilities included administratively shepherding deals to approval for statewide programming, championing investment, driving policy and serving State customers across 32 Michigan counties. She also led a statewide field team for placemaking projects in some of Michigan’s fastest growing counties.
City Manager Mark Washington expressed his confidence in Rainero's ability to lead the city's economic development team. "Sarah has a solid understanding of the State toolbox and can help our City team continue its excellent work in navigating the development process and encouraging economic growth," he said.
Rainero is excited about her new role and eager to leverage her skills to further advance the city's economic development efforts. “I am thrilled to join the City in this capacity and eager to have more of an impact in my backyard,” she said.
Jessica Smith comes to Grand Rapids from her role as a transportation planning manager with DOWL Engineering based in Anchorage, Alaska. She has spent over a decade leading a transportation planning team that acts as augmented staff to DOWL clients at various public agencies.
Washington described Smith as a strategic and collaborative transportation leader with experience in developing long range transportation plans, corridor studies and capital improvement plan development. "Jessica will be an asset and will help Mobile GR and its mission to expand people's mobility choices here in Grand Rapids,” he said.
Smith is ready for the new challenge and is eager to return to public service. “The successful and progressive work the Mobile GR department is doing for the community is the ideal opportunity for the next chapter of my public service career,” she said.
The specific start dates for each director have not been confirmed at the time of announcement.
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