Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY – July 31, 2012 –

The Board of Directors of Bridge Street Development Corporation (BSDC) announced today that they have appointed Emilio Dorcely, who until now held the position of Chief Operating Officer as the organization’s Acting President & Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Dorcely succeeds Rhonda A. Lewis, who resigned at the end of 2011 after more than a decade at the helm of BSDC. In his role as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Dorcely had already assumed most of the day-to-day responsibilities of running the organization upon Ms. Lewis’ departure.

“The Board is pleased to appoint Mr. Dorcely as Acting President & CEO,” said Edward Odom, Chairman of BSDC’s Board of Directors. “With his strong management skills, thoughtful leadership and ability to bring forth new and innovative initiatives, he is uniquely suited for this new role and we look forward to his many valuable contributions.”

Mr. Dorcely, who joined the Bridge Street team as COO in July 2011, has an extensive background in the field of philanthropy and nonprofit administration, having worked with the Rhode Island Foundation, the Association of Black Foundation Executives, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and, most recently, as director of nonprofit philanthropy and leadership at the Washington, DC-based Independent Sector. A political science and communications dual major at SUNY Oswego, Mr. Dorcely also holds a juris doctor from the University of Iowa’s College of Law. His unique educational background and professional experience will serve him well in leading a dynamic and complex organization like BSDC.