Deidre Crockett
By Joshua Burd
The Exchange Place Alliance in Jersey City has named a new executive director, tapping former Mack-Cali Realty Corp. executive Deidre Crockett for the role.
According to the organization, which focuses on the improving the waterfront business district, longtime Executive Director Elizabeth Cain is stepping down from the role after seven years to become chief strategy officer at Corcoran Sawyer Smith, a residential real estate brokerage. She now hands the reins to Crockett, who spent nearly a decade with the former Mack-Cali and rose to become its executive vice president and chief administrative officer.
Cain will remain a consultant to the Exchange Place Alliance, serving as a marketing and programming coordinator, the group said. It also noted that Director Martin Schmid is stepping down to become a full-time musician.
“Elizabeth has been with us since the formation of the Alliance and all of the success we have been able to garner is because of her hard work, intelligence and dedication,” said Mike DeMarco, president of the organization’s board of directors. “Even though we are fortunate she is staying on in an advisory capacity, her daily presence will be sorely missed.”
He added: “Martin has been with us five years and is an exceptional person with one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve ever met. He’s a noted musician who’s now going to focus his talent there. We look forward to his success.”
Crockett, who is a former alliance board member, most recently led the real estate advisory firm known as Crockett+Co. after leaving Jersey City-based Mack-Cali, which is now Veris Resdential Inc.
“We are so excited to have Deidre assume this important leadership role at the Alliance,” said DeMarco, Mack-Cali’s former CEO. “As a downtown resident with deep real estate experience who loves walking her dogs throughout her neighborhood, she is exactly the type of downtown enthusiast we need to further advance our agenda, making Jersey City the best place to live, work and play in our community.”
The nonprofit said the board has overseen significant expansion of the alliance’s responsibilities, noting that Exchange Place Plaza has been completely rebuilt with playgrounds, seating and a more welcoming environment to match a neighborhood that has become more residential. It also features new wayfinding and historical signage, dozens of new trees and shrubbery and public art installations, all permanent, while it has significantly increased outdoor programming from movies to music.
“We look forward to serving Jersey City to the best of our abilities in every way possible with a continued focus on creating public spaces with special attention to children’s playgrounds as well as supporting the arts,” DeMarco said.
