Mayor-elect Michael Hancock has named Wil Alston as communications director in his new administration. Alston, the executive director of the Five Points Business District (FPBD), is Hancock’s second key appointment and will serve as a senior advisor to the mayor and will manage his communications.
“Wil has been a strong presence in the life of this new organization,” said Alison Wadle, a Partner at Holme Roberts & Owen LLP, currently serving as the board chair. “He has provided us and this community with great vision, relentless passion, and a steady hand. We feel extremely honored that we get to keep him involved in the organization as a member of our board of directors as he transitions to his new position.”
Alston brings more than 25 years of experience in communications, government and the private sector, and since 2009, he’s been the FPBD executive director where he’s been leading the effort to revitalize Five Points, one of the city’s prized cultural communities. Under Alston’s leadership, and in conjunction with the organization’s board of directors, Five Points has received unprecedented city, state, and federal funding and collaboration. Alston will continue supplying leadership to the revitalization planning and implementation by joining the organization’s board of directors.
“I am honored to become a member of Mayor-elect Hancock’s administration,” Alston said. “Denver is such a great city with an inspiring new leader, and Five Points is one of the great communities in this city. I’m excited to help Mayor-elect Hancock make Denver an even greater city and; at the same time, continue providing leadership to Five Points’ redevelopment efforts as a board member.”
The Five Points Business District, with primary funding from the Denver Office of Economic Development, has been charged with facilitating the revitalization of Five Points. Since opening in 2009, the organization has established itself as the lead redevelopment entity for the corridor, and just completed in January a vision and goals document that lays the framework for redevelopment. With funding from HUD, the organization is beginning the Phase II or implementation phase of their revitalization effort.
The Five Points Business District board of directors will immediately put into motion a national search to fill the position. The board is currently developing the timeline and approach for carrying out that search, and will communicate that information when confirmed later next week.
