Presley L. Gillespie, Executive Director

Presley L. Gillespie is Executive Director of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation.  He is the Chief Executive Officer of the organization, reporting to the board of directors, and is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives.  In his role, he is responsible to ensure that the organization develops and executes its long-range strategic plan.  He is a strategic thinker, responsible for the day-to-day operations, management of development projects, regulatory compliance, liaison with governmental bodies and all public relations.

Presley comes to YNDC after a successful 18 year banking career, primarily focused on community development lending and community revitalization.  Previously, he served as Vice President for KeyBank where he was responsible for identifying, structuring and closing community development/commercial real estate loans that ultimately led to the creation of affordable housing, economic development and job creation. 

His prior banking experience includes, Vice President, Middle Market Commercial Banking for a $15 billion dollar banking institution, where he managed a $50 million dollar commercial lending portfolio.  Prior that assignment, he was Vice President, Community Development Manager for a $2 billion dollar banking institution, where he managed the community development banking division.  In that role, he led the corporation’s business development efforts related to affordable housing, commercial real estate in urban markets, and community investments.  He was also responsible for staff supervision, portfolio management, and regulatory compliance of the Community Reinvestment Act for the corporation.

Presley has structured over $60 million dollars in community development lending, including real estate developers, non-profit corporations, and corporate banking clients.

Active in his community, he serves on the board of trustees for the Mahoning County Land Reutilization Corporation, Mahoning Valley Historical Society, Mahoning Valley Sanitary District, Eastern Gateway Community College, and Greater Ohio Policy Center.  In 2010 Mr. Gillespie was selected by the German Marshall Fund of the United States to participate in the Cities in Transition Initiative in Germany and the United Kingdom to study European approaches to urban redevelopment in post-industrial shrinking cities. In 2011, Mr. Gillespie was named “CDC Staff Member of the Year” by the Ohio Community Development Corporation Assocation.

Presley holds a B.A. in organizational communication from Youngstown State University.  He has resided for 15 years in Youngstown, Ohio with his wife Nora and their two children.

Contact Presley at pgillespie@yndc.org.