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Blue Sky Puppet Theatre
Blue Sky Puppet Theatre

Blue Sky Puppet Theatre, founded in 1974, is located in University Park, MD, a suburb of Washington DC. Originally an adult experimental company and political satire oriented street theatre, in 1980 it transitioned to a full time children’s theatre specializing in educational and fine art productions for the elementary school population. One of the finest touring companies on the east coast, each year they present over 1,000 productions touring in the Mid Atlantic Region with subjects ranging from bullying and saving the planet to peaceful conflict resolution and math education.

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About

The Hyattsville Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a 501 c(3) non-profit organization. We are professionals, tradesmen, business owners, artists, longtime and new residents.

We work to reverse indifference and blight in the City of Hyattsville and surrounding communities.

We recognize Hyattsville’s social, cultural, and material assets, and are committed to harnessing our community’s potential and talents to revitalize the City and neighboring areas. Our board and staff are comprised of Hyattsville residents and local stakeholders.

Vision

We envision Hyattsville as a healthy, diverse, well-planned, and thriving community of homes and businesses where the arts: visual, performing and public, are a part of our work and the fabric of our lives.

Mission

To develop arts and public spaces, to spur economic development and the quality of community life, to encourage widespread leadership for community revitalization, and to rebuild the City’s commercial corridors.

Gloria Felix-Thompson

Director, the arts connection

Gloria Felix-Thompson is a leader, community advocate and experienced professional
committed to fostering cultural enrichment and social progress. Her journey reflects a
strong dedication to empowering others and making lasting positive change.
With a career spanning over three decades, Gloria has made meaningful contributions
to the arts and public relations landscape. Serving as the Director of the Washington-
based nonprofit, the arts connection, from 1983 to 2021, she played a pivotal role in
orchestrating executive and artistic operations. Her responsibilities ranged from
supervising staff and volunteers to designing and executing media and fundraising
campaigns.

Gloria spearheaded visionary initiatives, including founding the renowned Schubert,
Schubert and Schubert Festival in Georgetown, and Music for the Inner City in
Anacostia, Washington DC. She also represented the United States for the exhibition
"Vienna in Concert," leading a nationwide media campaign and organizing high-profile
events with government officials and dignitaries. One of her proudest achievements is
receiving the Golden Medal of Merit of the Federal Republic of Austria.

An ardent advocate for community welfare, Gloria has been actively involved in various
initiatives aimed at uplifting underserved populations. She has contributed to urban
forestry efforts as a member of the City of Hyattsville Shade Tree Board. Her dedication
to preservation issues and community development is evident through her roles in
organizations like the Hyattsville Preservation Association and the Hyattsville
Community Development Cooperation.
Fluent in German, Gloria completed her education at the Realgymnasium für Mädchen in
Vienna, Austria where she was born and lived her early life. Gloria continued her
education in Real Estate and Marketing at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Lawrence Taub

Principal, O'Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, P.A

Lawrence N. Taub has been representing local and national developers, builders, businesses and property owners in land use and zoning matters for over thirty years. Mr. Taub represents his clients before administrative, legislative and judicial bodies to obtain all required approvals for a wide range of developments, including mixed-use and transit-oriented projects, retail centers, office complexes, single-family and multi-family residential developments, senior housing projects, private schools, religious institutions, sand and gravel mining operations, and solid waste facilities. His practice includes such land use matters as rezonings, special exceptions, subdivisions (including preliminary plans, variations and final plats), master plans, sectional map amendments, variances, departures from design standards, basic plans, comprehensive and specific design plans, conceptual and detailed site plans, zoning ordinance text amendments, nonconforming use certifications, validations of permits issued in error, water and sewer category changes, building/use and occupancy permit issues, and defense of zoning violations. His extensive knowledge and experience enable him to develop comprehensive and cohesive strategies to assist his clients in obtaining the governmental approvals needed for their projects.

Lynda Lynn

Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web, Inc.

Lynda Lynn is currently working on her Marketing Degree at the University of Maryland. Most recently Lynda was the Marketing Project Manager at University Town Center in Hyattsville, Maryland where she planned the weekly outdoor concert series, several festivals and worked with the leasing team and retail tenants to market the development.

Lynda has a background in sales, recruiting, training and project management. She has worked on a wide range of projects for a variety of clients, ranging from event planning at University Town Center to project management during the Exxon/Mobil merger. While at IKON Office Solutions Lynda developed the sponsorship-in-kind relationship with The Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure. She serves on the board of her homeowners association and enjoys the arts and running.

Chris Hatcher

Attorney, Lerch, Early & Brewer

Christopher L. Hatcher is a member of RWLLS’ Real Estate and Zoning practice, with experience in zoning, subdivision, land use and other real estate development matters. Christopher also has experience representing clients before various municipal, local, state agencies. A graduate of University of Maryland School of Law, Christopher joined the firm as a legislative affairs fellow in 2009. Christopher was a Silver Scholar and a member of the Journal of Health Care Law and Policy during law school. Also, Christopher was a Judicial Asper Fellow for the Honorable Susan K. Gauvey, a Magistrate Judge of the District Court for the District of Maryland. Christopher graduated from Morehouse College, cum laude, with Bachelors of Arts.

Mike Franklin

Proprietor, Franklin's Restaurant, Brewery Store

Mike Franklin is an entrepreneur, who is the owner, developer, and operator of Franklins Restaurant, Brewpub and General Store. Mike worked in the toy distribution and sales business for nineteen years. A detailed profile of the history of his operation in Hyattsville is available from Franklin’s Brewery website. Mike is a graduate of St. Johns College of Annapolis, MD with a B.A. in Classics.

Todd Dengel

Chair Mid-Atlantic Regional Director

Todd Dengel is currently the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for Reimagined Parking overseeing its family of nationally recognized brands – Impark, Lanier, Republic Parking and AmeriPark. Todd’s primary role is developing new commercial asset opportunities while maintaining successful client relationships.

Todd has lived in Hyattsville, Maryland with his family since 2010. He is currently a member of the Hyattsville Preservation Society and the Hyattsville City Planning Advisory Committee. He has also served as an Executive Committee member of the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District in Washington, D.C.

Lisa Jordan

Senior Director of Digital Marketing

Lisa Jordan an experienced marketing & communications leader in travel and hospitality, Lisa Jordan is Senior Director of Digital Marketing for Red Roof, a leading economy hotel brand. Her professional background includes nearly 20 years of brand development, marketing strategy and implementation, team leadership and e-commerce in travel. Previously she served on the executive leadership team at Hostelling International USA as Vice President of Marketing. She held several positions during a prior 10-year tenure at Sabre Hospitality Solutions.

Lisa is a longtime Board member for Hyattsville Community Development Corporation and served as the Board Chair from 2014-2020. Drawing from her professional experience, graduate studies, and love for Hyattsville, her priorities are applying sustainable place management practices and soliciting stakeholder input to guide Hyattsville’s development. Lisa also serves on the HSMAI Americas Board, the HSMAI Washington DC chapter Marketing Communications Committee, and is an active volunteer for Women in Travel THRIVE. In 2023 she was named one of the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Marketing by HSMAI.

She is a proud George Washington University alumna who holds a Master of Tourism Administration from the School of Business. Since earning her master’s degree, Lisa has served multiple years in leadership roles, including Vice President and President, in the GWU Tourism Alumni Network. In 2022 she was honored with the Outstanding Alumni Award for Alumni Leadership by the GWU School of Business MS program in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management.

Lisa lives in Hyattsville, Maryland, and when she is not traveling, she spends her time fixing her house, dancing, biking the Trolley Trail, and enjoying local breweries, roasteries and distilleries.

Mark G. L. Ferguson

Architect and Urban Planner

Mark Ferguson is a practicing architect and land planner who has specialized in land development work in Prince Georges County, Maryland since his graduation from the School of Architecture at the University of Maryland at College Park in 1985. While his primary areas of practice are in planning and zoning work and in site development planning, he regularly designs roads, drainage and stormwater management, and other associated civil engineering work connected with land development projects. In his work in the architectural field, Mr. Ferguson has designed and overseen the construction of almost two million square feet of commercial space, and has provided expert consultations to the United States Department of Justice on site-related handicapped accessibility issues at a number of sites around the United States. Mr. Ferguson was the chairman of the Hyattsville CDC’s Board of Directors from its inception in 2001 until the summer of 2007.

Brian Escobar

Special Programs Coordinator

Brian Escobar joins the Hyattsville CDC as a graduate of the University of Maryland. With a passion for the arts, community development, and marketing lead him to pursue a major of his own making, Social Innovation and Arts Marketing. Through his field of study and work experience he focused on how to mitigate social inequities through the investigation, development, and implementation of sustainable solutions such as social ventures and projects.

He began his career as a marketer as he used social media and digital marketing as a vessel for brand management as well as to spark interest for social change projects. He’s worked with small local businesses and artists to optimize their marketing strategy.

Growing up in the City of Hyattsville provided him a unique perspective and experience that drives his passion. Looking to give back to his community he hopes to continue to elevate the community and city of Hyattsville.

E-Mail: [email protected]
Telephone: (301) 683-8267

Jessica Perez

Communication & Program Specialist

Jessica Perez joins the Hyattsville CDC after working with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a service specialist from 2018-2021, working on Hurricane Harvey, the COVID-19 vaccine, FEMA Funeral Assistance Program. Throughout these roles, she helped people nationally and holds deep knowledge about public policy in how the federal system operates managing natural disasters. Jessica has a Master’s Degree in Political Communication from American University. She enjoys hiking and trying new restaurants in the DMV area in her spare time.

E-Mail: [email protected]
Telephone: (301) 683-8267

Bronwyn King

Program Manager

Bronwyn King is a dedicated community arts supporter focused on creating more opportunities for public art, small businesses, and community engagement in Hyattsville and its surrounding areas. As co-founder of the local non-profit SoHy Co-op, she has helped promote local businesses while creating meaningful opportunities for public art and artist visibility. She remains deeply committed to building a vibrant, inclusive community where creativity and entrepreneurship thrive.

E-Mail: [email protected]
Telephone: (267) 303-3219

Stuart Eisenberg

Executive Director

Stuart Eisenberg has served as the Executive Director of the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation since 2005, developing the arts and public spaces of Hyattsville and the Gateway Arts District while delivering economic development and revitalization activities throughout the urban edge of Prince George’s County and along the Route One Corridor.

Stuart is a former Hyattsville City Council President, where he focused on implementing strategic plans, expanded community planning, and funded infrastructure renewal. Stuart has had the privilege to serve on several nonprofit organization and advisory boards in Prince George’s County. He is immediate past-President of the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area Inc.; former Vice President of the Hyattsville Preservation Association; and is currently a member of the Gateway Arts District Management Team. Other affiliations include service on Community Forklift’s Capital Acquisition Committee, the Prince George’s County Council’s Gas Safety Policy Task Force; and WSSC’s Environmental Advisory Board.

During his tenure working on local community development and revitalization Stuart has managed many non-profit and governmental fundraising endeavors, initiated development projects, and the construction of community facilities. Stuart has played a key role in the creation of new commercial and residential space, and public art projects in Hyattsville and across nine municipalities. He has led or assisted in many legislative and administrative efforts to aid in the realization of community-based revitalization goals: including the statewide authorization to create Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Maryland; enabling the universal use of Resident Artist tax credits in Arts Districts all across the State; and spearheading the team that authored the Prince George’s County Gateway Arts & Entertainment District Recertification.

Stuart’s previous career as a cabinet maker and project manager, along with his long-time avid community and environmental activism, prepared him well for his current mission: making Hyattsville CDC a leading nonprofit community services provider transforming the Route One Corridor and the Inner Beltway region of Prince George’s County: facilitating the economic renaissance of the area and leading to a sustainable, fortified local tax base.

E-Mail: [email protected]
Telephone: (301) 683-8267