Michele Celani To Direct DDA

The Monticello Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is happy to announce that Michele Celani has been hired as director of the organization.

Ms. Celani’s background includes an undergrad degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in literacy, along with graduate certification in museum studies. Ms. Celani has consulted with the Atlanta History Center and chaired the Georgia Historical Marker Committee and chaired the Smithsonian Exhibit here in Monticello in 2019-2020.

Ms. Celani was honored with a Presidential Citation Award from the Georgia Historical Society as well as having received the Jasper County Citizen of the Year award presented at the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner last January.

Ms. Celani brings to the Downtown Development Authority an outstanding skill set and wealth of experience in the historical preservation and grant writing. Ms. Celani will also be guiding the DDA into an expanded vision of the Georgia Main Street Program of which the city currently has associate city status.

“We are very excited to have Michele on board as the DDA continues to grow in our commitment to revitalizing the city, downtown and the central business district,” said Judy Hunsucker, chair of the DDA.

Ms. Celani will officially begin her duties on August 1.