BAC chief hired as city redevelopment director

Joe McCarthy resigned his position this week as executive director of the Brewery Arts Center to take a job as Carson City economic development/redevelopment manager.

"This opportunity presented to me at this time just made sense," McCarthy said Tuesday. His new job pays $65,000 a year.

McCarthy, 55, fills a position left vacant in July by Rob Joiner, who left Carson City for a municipal planning position in Sparks.

McCarthy, who has been at the BAC since 1996, will be responsible for fostering economic development by attracting retail businesses, helping manufacturers create more jobsand working for the city's Redevelopment Authority to revitalize downtown.

"What I think I bring is an ability to work hard, communicate well and present a pro-business stance that recognizes the whole community," he said.

He was one of three candidates interviewed for the city position, said Supervisor Robin Williamson, chairwoman of the Redevelopment Authority.

"Our first choice would be someone local with a passion," Williamson said. "We found somebody, and that's the positive thing."

Carson City Manager John Berkich said McCarthy's "keen sense of the community, energy and enthusiasm" were key factors in McCarthy's favor.

"He's the kind of guy who gives 110 percent, and that's what we're looking for," Berkich said.

Tara Plimpton, president of the BAC board, said McCarthy's "high energy and good vision" made him an effective director at the BAC and will help him in his new position. She said the BAC board is looking for a new director and likely will ask McCarthy to serve on the BAC board in the future .

McCarthy has served as a citizen-at-large member of the Redevelopment Authority Citizens Advisory Committee since 1992. He plans to resign from that position. He also served on the city's recent economic development arm of the six-month economic vitality strategic planning commission.

McCarthy said he is committed to continued involvement with the BAC to make sure the new director carries on one of his pet projects, the transformation of the blocks containing the arts center and its performance hall, the former St. Teresa's Catholic Church, into a cultural arts plaza.

McCarthy's last day at the BAC will be Oct. 6.

A native of New York City, McCarthy has lived in Carson City since the late 1970s. He and his wife, Ann, raised their daughters Sundae, a Washoe County teacher, and Caitie, a dancer in New York City, in Carson City. McCarthy has worked in a variety of positions, from teaching school to state employment to owning his own business. He has a bachelor's degree in history from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and a master's in curriculum development from State University in Albany, N.Y.