This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Eric Shaw, who worked for a nonprofit agency created to help Louisiana rebound from the devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, is Salt Lake City's new director of community and economic development.
Mayor Ralph Becker said Friday that Shaw was the best of many qualified candidates who applied for the position, noting that "Eric's education, professional background and record of innovation and planning vision were distinctive and outstanding."
Shaw comes to Salt Lake City from the Foundation for Louisiana, where he was vice president of programs and policy. He oversaw grant distribution and support of advocacy efforts and did policy work on civic engagement, affordable housing, minority small business development and community wealth building. He also helped create a program to help residents understand planning and urban design.
The foundation has given $41.5 million to more than 200 nonprofit organizations working to rebuilding Louisiana, its website said.
Before joining the foundation, Shaw was a director in the Louisiana Office of Community Development's disaster recovery unit. He managed a $10 million grant program for more than 15 parishes in northern and central Louisiana.
Mike Gorrell