Economic Development and Energy
Economic Development & Energy Staff
Anthony VanDerworp, Director
Tony VanDerworp is the Director of Economic Development and Energy for Washtenaw County, Michigan. This Department facilitates economic development and job creation in the County by coordinating economic resources and leveraging private, state and federal funding for specific economic development, re-use and revitalization projects. The Department also administers the county’s brownfield, energy conservation and historic preservation programs.
Tony also served as Director of Planning and Environment for the County where he drafted the County’s master plan and developed several new programs including lake management, purchase of development rights, historic driving tours, environmental portal, toxic waste disposal and land use curriculum for high school students.
He has assisted community leaders in the formation of several regional agencies and initiatives including the Food System Economic Partnership for Southeast Michigan, SPARK, Detroit Aerotropolis, A2Success and the Eastern leaders Group.
He has held several high level positions in government including City Manager, Public Works Director, Expressway Authority Director and Economic Development Director. During his tenure in these positions, he has developed numerous programs including economic development, community development, land acquisition, wetlands management, affordable housing, and riverfront redevelopment. Several of these programs received several state and national recognition for his work receiving National Association of Counties Award for affordable housing incentives and wetland management and American Planning Association Awards for master plan and roadway design standards. His work in economic development along the North I-4 Corridor in Florida resulted in being ranked the 2nd strongest business market in the nation and earning the title of “silicon swamp”.
Tony has also been recognized for his leadership receiving the Washtenaw County Government Leadership Award and the University of Michigan Regional Planning Faculty Award. He holds a Master's Degree in Regional Planning from the University of Michigan and is a graduate of the Harvard School of Government Leadership Program.
Contact Tony at (734) 222-6888 or vanderworpa@ewashtenaw.org.
Brett Lenart
Previously, Brett worked at the City of Ypsilanti where he was involved in variety of duties including program responsibility for a Downtown Development Authority, Historic District Commission, Economic Development Corporation and other redevelopment activities. Brett has successfully managed Clean Michigan Initiative Grants, MHSHDA HUD HOME and CDBG grants, and EPA Pilot Assessment Grants. Brett is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Contact Brett at (734) 222-3860 or lenartb@ewashtenaw.org.
Melissa Milton-Pung
Melissa Milton-Pung is a Project Manager in the Economic Development and Energy Department. She holds a Master’s Degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Kentucky, with expertise in public policy and economic development.
Melissa has worked on numerous Federal compliance projects and historic property designations throughout the Midwest and Upper South. At Washtenaw County, she oversees 12 local historic districts, administers grant projects, and provides technical assistance for local governments seeking to stimulate local investment and preserve community character. Melissa presently provides project management for the Eastern Leaders Group & A2 Success, with special focus on Commercial Property Incentives and K-12 Education. As board member of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, Melissa successfully led a grassroots campaign for enhancement and syndication of the Michigan Rehabilitation Tax Credits in 2009. She is also the 2010 Board Chair of the Arts Alliance, a county-wide arts service organization.
Contact Melissa at (734) 222-6878 or miltonpungm@ewashtenaw.org.
Interns
We would not be able to accomplish nearly as much without significant contribution from our talented volunteers. Without doubt, the contributions of these dedicated volunteers have a direct impact on the economic vitality of our County.
Cynthia B. Christensen
Cynthia’s project management of several historic preservation and heritage tourism initiatives ensure that the County advances in these areas.
Contact Cynthia at (734) 222-9557 or christensenc@ewashtenaw.org.
