Paul Zelenak Earns Statewide Award for Career in Downtown Management and Economic Development
(MDA, Nov. 21, 2025)
South Lyon, MI – The Michigan Downtown Association (MDA) has recognized Paul Zelenak for his outstanding career achievements in downtown management and economic development. The honor was presented during the MDA’s Annual Conference, held earlier this month in downtown Rochester, Michigan.
Zelenak’s distinguished career in municipal government began in 1987, marking nearly four decades of service dedicated to Michigan’s downtowns and communities. His first involvement with downtown development came through his service on a committee for the City of Rochester, sparking a lifelong commitment to supporting vibrant, thriving downtowns.
Over the years, Zelenak has served in leadership roles for seven municipalities as a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director and/or City Manager. A passionate advocate for the Main Street Approach, he introduced and implemented this nationally recognized downtown revitalization model in at least three communities, emphasizing its power to guide local efforts in enhancing downtown districts. He currently is City Manager of South Lyon.
Other municipalities he’s worked for have included Lake Orion, Garden City, Bloomfield Hills, and Ortonville.
“Working for Paul has been one of the most formative experiences of my career,” said Nate Mack, MDA Board Member and Director of the Berkley Downtown Development Authority. “He was a strong advocate for DDAs and understood how vital they are to a community’s success. More than that, he believed in people—he believed in me—and gave me the space to grow into the professional I am today. I’ll always be grateful for his mentorship and support.”
Mack added, “Paul was the kind of city manager every downtown hopes to have, one who truly understood the role and impact of a DDA. Throughout his long and distinguished career in public service, he consistently championed the importance of DDAs and their contribution to local economic vitality. His leadership left a lasting mark on every community he served—and on those of us fortunate enough to work with him.”
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Zelenak’s personality and community spirit have made him a beloved figure in the towns he’s served. Among his lighter duties was donning an Elmo costume for more than a decade, marching in local parades in Lake Orion, Garden City, and Linden—a tradition that delighted children and families year after year.
Zelenak also served on the MDA Board of Directors and has remained actively involved in the organization by speaking at state conferences and continuing to advocate for downtowns and local development.
As he transitions into retirement, Zelenak is pursuing a personal dream—remodeling a historic 1898 church he purchased into his future home. “No, it’s not what you think,” he jokes, referring to his newfound ‘church.’ Beyond restoration, he also tends to his wine vineyard, continuing his passion for nurturing growth in all its forms.
Founded in 1980, the Michigan Downtown Association is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to strengthening downtowns through education, advocacy, and promotion. Its members are passionate about the continued development and vitality of Michigan’s downtowns and communities.
Also earning awards this year were placemaking projects in Downtown Auburn Hills and Downtown Highland.
For more information about the Michigan Downtown Association, visit www.MichiganDowntowns.com
