Ex-Officio Commission Members
Gary Anderson, Director of Planning & Economic Development
Town of Manchester
41 Center St.
Manchester, CT 06040
Phone: 860 647-3044
ganderson@manchesterchamber.com
Gary Anderson has served as Director of Planning and Economic Development for the Town of Manchester since September, 2016, returning to the Town where he served as Senior Planner from 2006 through 2012. Since his return Mr. Anderson’s focus has been on Economic Development, particularly Downtown and in the surrounding area. Mr. Anderson coauthored both Manchester 2020 Plan of Conservation and Development and the Broad Street Redevelopment Plan.
From 2012 through 2016 Mr. Anderson served as Director of Planning and Economic Development for the Town of Easton, Massachusetts where he led that community through a comprehensive master planning process and a subsequent period of planned growth. He guided zoning reform for the Queset Commercial District and downtown North Easton Village, and led a recodification of the entire zoning bylaw.
Mr. Anderson holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Drew University and a Master’s Degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the American Planning Association and is certified by the National Charrette Institute. He lives in Connecticut with his wife Sara and their two children and is an avid runner and sports fan (NY Giants, NY Mets, UConn).
April DiFalco, President
Greater. Manchester Chamber of Commerce
20 Hartford Rd.
Manchester, CT 06040
Phone: 860 646-2223
april@manchesterchamber .com
As President of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) Ms. Di Falco is a rich resource for the commission and SSD members, offering support through the benefits the Chamber provides with marketing assistance, networking opportunities, business start-up counseling, referrals, Grand Opening celebration coordination, and economic development outreach.
Since 1901 the GMCC has been dedicated to strengthening the business community through numerous benefits and services created to assist the business owner in their day to day operations, especially those businesses operating on lean or limited budgets. April’s outreach and knowledge of businesses that are looking to expand into new territories assists in economic development efforts for the Downtown and Town of Manchester.