The Iowa City Downtown District named Nancy Bird as its first executive director Wednesday, according to a city press release.

Karen Kubby, the board president of the Downtown District, said that Bird stood out from other applicants because of the variety of her experience.

“As a an executive president, we were looking for someone who is incredibly pithy,” Kubby said in the press release. “Someone who communicates well with a different downtown, and it’s good to have someone who can come in and keep us unified.”

Bird’s experience includes working as a certified community planner and economic development specialist with numerous business districts in Seattle.

Bird could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.