UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Utica City Mayor Robert Palmieri says he is rebuilding Utica's Urban Renewal Agency, announcing two new appointments to the department.

"The Urban Renewal Agency has a mission to literally rebuild Utica's quality of life by redeveloping Utica's distressed properties," Palmieri said. "It's imperative that all Urban Renewal job titles are respected and all positions are filled with qualified and proven professionals."

Palmieri announced the appointments of Gene Allen as Marketing Director and Andrew Brindisi as Sales Coordinator.

"Gene Allen is a Cornhill resident who possesses a rare combination ot technical know-how, marketing experience and a deep sense of personal commitment to preserving Utica's neighborhoods," Palmieri said. "Andrew Brindisi is an accomplished entrepreneur with practical real estate sales experience. He built a successful business and thrived in one of the most economically challenging environment in Upstate New York."

Allen has a degree in Business Administration from SUNY Morrisville and a Marketing degree from Utica College. He was principal in his own consulting firm and has held management positions with numerous not-for-profit agencies and neighborhood groups. Allen is also an EPA certified Risk Assessor, Lead Abatement Supervisor, and HUD Renovator. He currently trains home re-modelers and renovators in Lead Safety.

Brindisi graduated Utica College where he majored in Political Science. He returns to Utica after a more than a decade of achievement and civic involvement in Saratoga Springs. He was President and Vice-President of the Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association and served on several city improvement committees. Prior to moving to Saratoga Springs, Brindisi was a Realtor in Virginia. He attended the Graduate Realtor Institute at the University of Virginia.