Michael Zaleski

President & CEO, Riverfront Recapture Inc.

Age: 43

Experience: 18 years

Michael Zaleski took over June 15 as CEO of Riverfront Recapture, a nonprofit organization that gives people more reasons to visit the Connecticut River. The group manages four riverfront parks in Hartford and East Hartford, sponsors dozens of festivals and organizes recreational activities including a community rowing program. Prior to joining Riverfront Recapture, Zaleski headed the Hartford Downtown Business Improvement District, which provides services to benefit more than 200 commercial property owners in the capital city.

Q: What were the top priorities of the downtown improvement district members when you left the organization this spring?

A: The downtown has evolved over the last eight years. The core foundation is always going to be providing clean, safe streets, making sure graffiti is removed, providing regular security patrols adding eyes and ears to the streets enhancing the work of the Hartford police department. With the caveat that I no longer speak for the organization, there’s a reevaluation coming up in 2016, and there’s a consensus that commercial assessments will increase. So that’s a concern for property owners, with Hartford having the highest mill rate in the state.

Q: What made you interested in the position at Riverfront Recapture?

A: What interested me was to be able to take the leadership of an organization that has for several decades enhanced the quality of life in Greater Hartford. The Connecticut River is an incredible asset that we’ve been able to reconnect with people in Hartford and East Hartford. I was interested in this job because it’s an economic development organization. We consider Riverfront Recapture to be an economic driver. Just recently the state Department of Economic and Community Development completed a study showing there was over $7 million pumped into the economy as a result of the parks and events. We drew almost 900,000 people to the riverfront in 2014, which made us the third largest destination in the state behind the two casinos.

Q: What’s the most popular recreational program?

A: Our community rowing program is one of the largest in New England with more than 550 people. Just this week we started out a high school rowing program. We’re able to combine high schools from throughout the Greater Hartford region – 142 kids from 18 high schools. They compete as a team. There are some schools that have their own crew teams, but most don’t, so we provide them with an opportunity to come together and form one large team. Our largest rowing event is in October and will bring dozens of rowing teams to the river.

Q: How many riverfront rangers patrol the parks?

A: The ranger program is in our four parks from late April through October. They provide a security presence but also give recommendations and serve as ambassadors for the riverfront. We typically have five to seven rangers on a daily basis throughout the system. They also manage our boat launch in East Hartford.

Q: What’s the latest on the Riverwalk South capital improvement project which would create a new entrance to the riverfront from Hartford’s Coltsville neighborhood?

A: Riverwalk South is starting to gain some steam. We were able to receive a $1.5 million grant for permitting and designs, and we are continuing to push forward on some temporary improvements that would provide additional parking and enhanced access to the river. One of the major initiatives is to connect downtown with Charter Oak Landing and the Colt building development. That is something we’re very excited about. We recently met with Congressman (John) Larson about how we can continue to connect the Colt building with the river. It’s a project that will take several years to unfold, but it’ll complete the loop of our riverwalk system. That’s the major project for our capital improvement program. We’re still working on estimates but we believe it will be between $25 million and $30 million including dike repair work. We’re looking at developing multiple funding sources.

Five Things zaleski Deems Absolutely Critical To Success In Business (And Life):

1. Hard work

2. A sense of humor

3. Dogged persistence

4. Support from family

5. Diet Coke