Steve Cramer has been named president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and the Downtown Improvement District.

Cramer has been president for 10 years at Project for Pride in Living and is a former Minneapolis City Council member, among his many posts in public, private and nonprofit organizations over the years.

He succeeds Mark Stenglein, who stepped down abruptly in June after a year in the job. Betsy Buckley had served as interim president.

Cramer's strategic planning skills, economic development experience and strengths in fundraising and business development led to his appointment Tuesday, said Collin Barr, president of Ryan Companies North Central Region and chairman of the Downtown Council and related improvement district.

"Steve brings an incredible background to our organization and understands firsthand how critically important downtown Minneapolis is as the engine of prosperity for the city and the region," Barr said.

"For more than 25 years, Steve has led organizations through growth and change."

Barr said Cramer's experience will be valuable as the organization works with broader downtown leadership in moving the 2025 Plan forward. That plan aims to help the downtown area build on its assets and implement goals.

"My prior work with the private sector, government, and community interests has helped me understand constituent relations, operations, and communications," Cramer said. "It will be a privilege to use that experience to shepherd the 2025 Plan into reality."