Steven Gondol, Executive Director of Live Baltimore since 2011, has announced his resignation amid plans to relocate to Dayton, Ohio. Gondol leaves what he dubs “the best job in the world” as he follows his wife in her assumption of a leadership role with her family-owned business, PDi Communication Systems.

Gondol’s tenure with Live Baltimore began in 2007 as the Base Realignment and Closure Relocation Manager and later the Business Relationship Manager. He was appointed Executive Director in 2011. In the process, his passion and love for Baltimore City has guided his tenure.

“The city, the people, and life here have inspired me each and every day,” said Gondol, a longtime resident of the Patterson Park neighborhood.

Under Gondol’s dedicated leadership, Live Baltimore has coordinated the distribution of more than $1.6M in Baltimore City homebuying incentives. In 2016, Live Baltimore’s customers accounted for one in seven Baltimore City home purchases: $213.8M in home sales and $9.3M in associated real estate tax revenue to the city.

Gondol championed the creation of Live Baltimore’s family retention and employer outreach programming. By increasing Live Baltimore’s homebuying events from two to six per year, he was instrumental in ensuring the accessibility of incentives to more buyers at more stages of the process. In doing so, he also facilitated a shift to an equitable, lottery-based incentive-awarding system. His implementation of data-driven strategies has helped quantify Live Baltimore’s impact while leading to evidence-based policy-making that benefits the city’s growth.

“The board and staff are incredibly sad to see Steve go,” said Stacie Tobin, President of Live Baltimore’s Board of Directors. “We are grateful for Steve’s many years of service to the organization and also for his commitment to steward Live Baltimore through its leadership transition.”

Live Baltimore’s Board of Directors will begin conducting a search for the next Executive Director immediately. Gondol will remain fully involved in the process of acclimating the organization’s new leadership.“The opportunity to lead Live Baltimore is one I never took for granted,” said Gondol. “Introducing prospective residents to this diverse, vibrant, and affordable city has been an absolute honor and privilege.”

Gondol has not accepted a new position in Ohio, but hopes to continue his work in urban planning and community development.

“My wife has put her career on hold for ten years so that I can pursue my dreams,” said Gondol. “It’s my time to support our family in this move.”

About Live Baltimore

Live Baltimore is a nationally recognized, independent nonprofit organization committed to promoting the benefits of Baltimore City living. Each year, Live Baltimore provides thousands of individuals with information on the city’s 270+ neighborhoods, rental living options, homebuying incentive programs, historic tax credits, and more. For more information, visit LiveBaltimore.com.