Ty Lake selected by McKinney for new Community Engagement Director position

Amy Rosenthal promoted to McKinney Performing Arts Center and Main Street Director

McKINNEY –  City Manager Jason Gray has announced the hiring of Ty Lake as Community Engagement Director. Lake, previously the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC) and Main Street Director will begin her new role Jan. 6, 2014.

Lake’s role is a new position within the City Manager’s Office and will focus on extending outreach to encourage, engage and celebrate citywide community participation and dialogue among McKinney citizens, business owners, local organizations and stakeholders.

“The Community Engagement Director position is intended to enhance engagement and two-way dialogue from McKinney’s citizens and businesses,” said Gray. “Ty’s background and knowledge of the community, as well as her success in engaging constituents during her years of work within our historic downtown, lend perfectly to expanding that type of involvement citywide.”

Lake joined the City of McKinney in Aug. 2005 to lead the Main Street organization and foster continued growth in McKinney’s historic downtown area through economic development, increased promotion, enhanced tourism, infrastructure redevelopment, historical preservation and increased awareness of McKinney’s history. She took on the added responsibility of directing MPAC in late 2011.

Under Lake’s leadership, McKinney Main Street grew from two to eight annual events, raising more than $2.5 million in sponsorships, donations and fundraising initiatives. MPAC increased revenues, participation and sold-out performances during Lake’s tenure. She successfully increased collaboration, and garnered strong volunteer support throughout the community working alongside more than 130 businesses in the historic commercial district.

Lake serves on the McKinney Alliance Board of Directors, the Texas Main Street Resource Team, is a member of the Texas Downtown Association and has received local, state and national recognition and awards for her work. Prior to the joining the city, Lake was Director of Marketing for a national retail chain.

“I am looking forward to my new role and can’t wait to connect, listen and collaborate with our citizens and businesses so that together we can provide positive results for our great community. My first objective will be to bring citizens to the table as part of the decision making process. In addition, I am excited to create the infrastructure and strategy for communitywide engagement and participation in the business sector of the city,” said Lake. “It’s even more rewarding to know that I am leaving our work with MPAC and historic downtown in such capable hands.”

Assuming Lake’s duties over MPAC and Main Street will be Amy Rosenthal, who was previously the Assistant Director/Director of Marketing and Development for MPAC, where she has worked since the facility opened in 2006. Prior to that, Rosenthal was with the Dallas Children’s Theatre for 10 years.

“Amy is highly qualified and brings an abundance of experience, professionalism and a proven track record not only with MPAC, but the downtown community as a whole to this role,” said Lake.

Rosenthal was a member of the initial operations team to launch, brand and promote the city-run performing arts facility in the readapted historic building in the heart of historic downtown. In her tenure, Rosenthal has worked to develop and execute media campaigns for more than 50 MPAC-presented live performance events and secured multiple sponsorships.

In addition, Rosenthal has assisted with eight annual community events in historic downtown McKinney in all areas from planning to event logistics and execution, reaching more 100,000 people annually. To achieve successes, she has worked collaboratively with local arts organizations and nurtured community relationships with McKinney ISD, the Historic Neighborhood Association, McKinney Main Street and McKinney Arts Commission to help create a robust center of activity central to historic downtown.

“I’m delighted to be moving into this role,” said Rosenthal. “I have a passion and dedication to the McKinney gem that is historic downtown and look forward to delivering results both at MPAC and downtown as a whole going forward. Our successes will continue to come from working together.”