Sternbach to Leave REDI

Sally Sternbach, the executive director of Rockville Economic Development Inc., has been nominated as deputy director of the county’s Department of Economic Development.

Sternbach has headed the nonprofit economic development arm of the City of Rockville since January 2003.

She announced her resignation at REDI’s board meeting on Thursday. Lynne Benzion, REDI’s associate director, announced Sternbach’s nomination by County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) at Monday’s Rockville City Council meeting.

In her nine years at the helm of REDI, Sternbach “has guided Rockville's economic development program to a vision that prioritizes entrepreneurship and the formation and nurturing of companies that create high-paying jobs that will help ensure Rockville's future economic strength,” Benzion told the council.

The Montgomery County Council must confirm Sternbach’s appointment. If confirmed, Sternbach would begin her new job March 1.

REDI's board of directors has already formed a committee to search for a new executive director. The board expects the search will take more than a month and therefore voted unanimously to name Benzion acting executive director, effective March 1.

"I can assure you that REDI expects to achieve all of our key objectives for this fiscal year," Benzion said. That includes Business Appreciation Week (to be held March 12-16), the StartRight! Women's Business Plan Competition and the annual Postdoc Conference and Career Fair, she said.

Sternbach’s nomination “is a real positive endorsement of the things going on at REDI,” Susan Prince, a West End resident, president of and member of the REDI board, said during the Citizen’s Forum portion of Monday’s council meeting.

Under Sternbach’s leadership, REDI has expanded its services to companies and entrepreneurs, with the goal of promoting Rockville as a place to do business.

In November 2010, , providing advice and resources to women—and men—looking to launch or grow a business.

Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio said that Sternbach has “really remarkably risen to the challenge” leveled by the council to make REDI more self-supporting in the face of recent city budget tightening.

The city awarded a $541,300 grant to REDI in fiscal 2012. For fiscal 2013, REDI has submitted a request for $546,660, a 1 percent increase over fiscal 2012.

An email to Sternbach on Monday afternoon seeking comment was not answered by 8:30 p.m. on Monday.

As deputy director of the county’s Department of Economic Development, Sternbach would work closely with director Steven A. Silverman, the former Montgomery County Councilman and one-time county executive candidate. Silverman is a member of the REDI board.

"As I told her, when someone like that wants our executive director, you know our executive director has done something good," said Councilman Mark Pierzchala, a small business owner who has taken advantage of REDI's services. "And she's done a lot of good stuff."