Lupe Perez image via City of Fresno

Lupe Perez, a veteran of the City of Fresno’s redevelopment pipeline, has been selected as the city’s director of economic development.

She replaces former Fresno City Councilmember Larry Westerlund, who resigned the position at the end of May, reported gvwire.com. An attorney, Westerlund is currently in private practice with Fresno law firm Coleman & Horowitt.

Perez previously served as the City of Fresno downtown revitalization manager since 2014. Prior to coming to City Hall, Perez spent 16 years working for the former City of Fresno Redevelopment Agency (RDA) in project coordinator and manager positions.

“I’ve worked with Lupe since the day I first started serving as a Councilmember and have always found her to be talented and conscientious with excellent people skills and an equally impressive reputation in the local business community,” said Fresno Mayor Lee Brand in a statement. “I’m especially pleased that Lupe shares my vision for job creation and is ready to hit the ground running to help us build on our momentum and continue to improve the quality of life for everyone in Fresno.”

As downtown revitalization manager, she facilitated development, business attraction and retention, addressed unique downtown design and land use issues, planned events and festivals on Fulton Street and kept the public engaged in the revitalization process, according to a City of Fresno news release.

“This is a key position for City Hall and I think we are incredibly fortunate to have someone as competent and well-respected as Lupe to lead our economic development efforts. Her expertise in development is perfectly suited with the Administration’s mission to attract new businesses to Fresno and helping existing ones grow.” said City Manager Wilma Quan in statement.

With the RDA, Perez was involved in downtown revitalization efforts through business attraction and retention, facilitating development, land acquisition, relocation and property disposition.

“She also successfully cultivated exceptional relationships within the community to promote and expand economic development opportunities,” according to the news release.

“The EDC is pleased to join the City of Fresno in welcoming its new Director of Economic Development Lupe Perez to the team. I have been working closely with Lupe for the past 10 years and I know she will bring her many years of experience and enthusiasm to the position,” said Lee Ann Eager, president and CEO of the Fresno County Economic Development Corp., in a statement. “I am looking forward to many more years of working together to ensure that Fresno is the perfect place to start and grow a business.”