Kathy Dirks retires from Downtown Development Authority

A well known member of the community and the downtown development authority is retiring today.

After five years Kathy Dirks is leaving her post as marketing and communications director for the downtown partnership.

Co-workers say she'll be greatly missed, as she was an accomplished employee and a tremendous asset.

She's described as the eyes and ears of downtown Grand Junction, communicating with businesses and property owners and listening to their ideas on how to improve the community.     

Harry Weiss, the executive director of the Downtown Authority says Kathy was the glue that kept the board and the downtown community together.

“She's ready to take on a new challenge and it felt like she really made a successful and important impact in this operation and she created a legacy that she can pass on to someone else."

Owner of Brown Cycles, Chris Brown said, "She's real personable she'd always come in a talk to you and keep you in the loop, we shoot emails back and forth, and there's a lot of laughing going on and a lot of fun stuff."

Weiss says he'll be sorting through the tall stack of applications in the next two weeks to fill Kathy’s spot.

He says they should have the position filled by the end of the month.

As for Kathy, she plans on continuing working in the marketing field as well as staying involved with non-profit organizations.