The Washington Business Journal has hired Dan Brendel to cover economic development and real estate in the region’s suburban jurisdictions.
Brendel writes, “I grew up in California, but have lived numerous places on both coasts. My wife of 12 years is my best friend. I’m a dedicated Catholic who lives and worships in Alexandria. I’ve reported on local, regional and state issues — especially land use, housing and transportation — for local newspapers in Virginia and California. I’m a divinity school graduate, veteran, bookworm, avid camper and sci-fi novel enthusiast.
“Cities and regions fascinate me. I’m intrigued by how they work as complex organisms — how the various sectors, spheres and physical landscape interrelate to make communities and businesses thrive, or not. As national partisan politics soaks up evermore bandwidth, it’s increasingly necessary to highlight cities and regions in their own right, as economic engines and political jurisdictions. A dozen presidents might come and go before the consequences of decisions about land use, (re)development, transportation, municipal debt and asset management and so forth, expire. Local matters. A lot. I’m eager to help shine a light there.”
Read more here.