News

Pleasanton Downtown Association, executive director Karl abruptly part ways

Second permanent leader in a row to leave PDA after just seven months on the job

Pleasanton Downtown Association Board President Randall Brown confirmed to the Weekly on Wednesday that the association has "parted ways" with Bridget Karl, who has been leading the PDA as executive director since October.

Bridget Karl. (File photo courtesy Karl)

Brown said that Karl's last day was Tuesday and former PDA executive director Laura Brooks agreed to come back to her old position on an interim basis effective Wednesday. Karl first started her job at the PDA on Oct. 24.

"We will begin the search for a new director in early June," Brown said.

This marks the second time in a row that a permanent executive director at the PDA has left the organization after serving just seven months on the job. The last time was when Zac Grant, Karl's predecessor, stepped down in late 2021 in order to pursue other career opportunities.

In December 2021, during that gap between when Grant left and Karl came on, Brooks also returned to her old position on an interim basis. Brooks, who led the association for 10 years until 2019, left the PDA to start her own consulting business and move to Alabama.

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As to the reason why Karl parted ways with the association, Brown told the Weekly that employee matters are confidential and that "we will not comment further on our parting of ways."

Her departure comes just days after the PDA's first major events of May -- the opening First Weekend on Main of 2023 last Friday through Sunday and the annual Wine & Art Stroll on Saturday.

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Christian Trujano
 
Christian Trujano, a Bay Area native and San Jose State alum, joined Embarcadero Media in May 2022 following his graduation. He is an award-winning student journalist who has covered stories in San Jose ranging from crime to higher education. Read more >>

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Pleasanton Downtown Association, executive director Karl abruptly part ways

Second permanent leader in a row to leave PDA after just seven months on the job

by / Pleasanton Weekly

Uploaded: Wed, May 10, 2023, 3:44 pm
Updated: Thu, May 11, 2023, 9:46 am

Pleasanton Downtown Association Board President Randall Brown confirmed to the Weekly on Wednesday that the association has "parted ways" with Bridget Karl, who has been leading the PDA as executive director since October.

Brown said that Karl's last day was Tuesday and former PDA executive director Laura Brooks agreed to come back to her old position on an interim basis effective Wednesday. Karl first started her job at the PDA on Oct. 24.

"We will begin the search for a new director in early June," Brown said.

This marks the second time in a row that a permanent executive director at the PDA has left the organization after serving just seven months on the job. The last time was when Zac Grant, Karl's predecessor, stepped down in late 2021 in order to pursue other career opportunities.

In December 2021, during that gap between when Grant left and Karl came on, Brooks also returned to her old position on an interim basis. Brooks, who led the association for 10 years until 2019, left the PDA to start her own consulting business and move to Alabama.

As to the reason why Karl parted ways with the association, Brown told the Weekly that employee matters are confidential and that "we will not comment further on our parting of ways."

Her departure comes just days after the PDA's first major events of May -- the opening First Weekend on Main of 2023 last Friday through Sunday and the annual Wine & Art Stroll on Saturday.

Comments

been there
Registered user
Del Prado
on May 11, 2023 at 10:28 am
been there, Del Prado
Registered user
on May 11, 2023 at 10:28 am

Since the PDA Director is such a public figure, it would be appropriate for the Board to make some sort of reasonable statement as to why Karl suddenly departed after such a short time. What is happening at PDA that is so challenging that 2 directors have quit after a few months? Rumors will fly, so a little honest transparency is required so our downtown can thrive again.


Concerned Citizen
Registered user
Downtown
on May 11, 2023 at 2:48 pm
Concerned Citizen, Downtown
Registered user
on May 11, 2023 at 2:48 pm

A colleague of mine applied for the PDA position before the recent hire. He had the background
and qualifications to excel in this position. However, he did not receive any acknowledgment of his application, which I would consider a basic professional courtesy. That, in itself, is a red flag!


Claudette McDermott
Registered user
Del Prado
on May 18, 2023 at 10:37 am
Claudette McDermott, Del Prado
Registered user
on May 18, 2023 at 10:37 am

Sometimes organizations have "clicks" and if you don't fit well, or and don't go along with those that have been there longer than you, it turns into an uncomfortable work place. That's what it looks like to me. It's very unfortunate because New Voices are just what the PDA needs to grow and help the town prosper. Who's yanking chains is what I want to know....??? Who ever is still there would be my guess.


Michael Austin
Registered user
Pleasanton Meadows
on May 18, 2023 at 2:50 pm
Michael Austin , Pleasanton Meadows
Registered user
on May 18, 2023 at 2:50 pm

Downtown is somewhat like a can of sardines.
People just cannot flip out of it.

There is fine dining out and away from downtown.
There is nice shopping out and away from downtown.

There are fun trails and parks out and away from downtown.
here are historical areas out and away from downtown.

There are really great neighborhoods out and away from downtown.
There are really nice people out and away from downtown.

There are scenic places and interesting wildlife out and away from downtown.
There is parking everywhere out and away from downtown.

People do not need a downtown association.
Flip out and have a life out and away from downtown.


dknute
Registered user
Golden Eagle
on May 18, 2023 at 3:45 pm
dknute, Golden Eagle
Registered user
on May 18, 2023 at 3:45 pm

Michael Austin. I agree with most of what you say. But, I’d venture to guess, before Pleasanton “became the go to place”, it WAS the Downtown that brought people here. Then, through a series of Strong Mayors and solid City Councils, Pleasanton became THE Place to live and raise your children. Recent changes in Schools, School Maintenance, as well as work on city streets, underground water and sewer, plus replacement and tree trimming have suffered. Especially, during the past four or five years. If a new Downtown Association Manager doesn’t take and make some moves downtown, I’m afraid our Downtown Atmosphere will disappear. And with it, a lot of the people who made pleasanton what it is. There are a lot of impediments to driving downtown, safely. I’m not sure the Downtown Association can do anything about that, but IMHO, someone needs to.


Lauren Y.
Registered user
Ponderosa
on May 18, 2023 at 6:45 pm
Lauren Y., Ponderosa
Registered user
on May 18, 2023 at 6:45 pm

I get a strong sense that this organization might be in need of a good audit. Their recent "Downtown Pleasanton" card situation doesn't pass the smell test. The cards aren't accepted in places they promised, and now they are saying those with the cards will soon lose all the money they have on those cards if they don't use them? Is anyone looking at their books? Did Karl leave because she took a look and did not like what she found? Is that why she was shown the door? Odd.


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