The District adds staff as Guthrie transitions to Chamber; Emily Lombardi named interim director

QUINCY, IL. – Bruce Guthrie, executive director for The District, has announced today the downtown advocacy organization has filled two positions as he prepares to move to the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce next week.

The District’s Board of Directors has selected Emily Lombardi as its Director of Economic Development and Jeremy Ledford as Director of Programming and Marketing.

Guthrie announced on October 22 that he was resigning as the group’s executive director, effective November 12. Lombardi will also serve as the group’s interim executive director when Guthrie departs.

Bob Beswick, president of The District’s board of directors, said the plan for now is to continue the search for a new executive director.

“We’re in that limbo mode where we had already interviewed them (Lombardi and Ledford) before Bruce made his announcement,” Beswick said. “They were wonderful candidates with good skill sets, so we brought them in and we’ll see how it works out.”

Lombardi comes to Quincy from Milwaukee, WI. where she previously worked in sales in the utility industry. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Ledford is a Hannibal native and has previously worked in local small business as well as at WGEM-TV and KHQA-TV. He earned his Associates of Arts in Journalism from Moberly Area Community College and Bachelor of Science degree at Mississippi State University.

“I am grateful for the trust of The District Board of Directors. The residents of Quincy have been so welcoming and I am honored to be able to steer downtown revitalization efforts of this great city.” Lombardi said. 

“I think a lot of great things are in store for Quincy and The District both short and long term,” Ledford said. “I am confident of a bright and optimistic 2022 on the horizon to continue to propel Quincy’s downtown area into one of prosperity and growth.”

Guthrie will assist Lombardi and Ledford with the transition throughout the week before he begins his new role as President/CEO of the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce on November 15.