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Michael Hosterman installed as president of PDA
Downtown attorney chosen to lead business organization for 2nd straight year

by Jeb Bing

Downtown Attorney Michael J Hosterman was sworn into office Tuesday night as president of the Pleasanton Downtown Association, a post he also held last year.

Last year, he was installed by his wife and then-mayor Jennifer Hosterman, who was termed out of that office last November. Tuesday night, newly elected Mayor Jerry Thorne did the honors.

With Hosterman serving a second term, Vic Malatesta, the organization's president-elect a year ago, keeps that title again and is now scheduled to take the top post next February.

Hosterman's law offices are at 555 Peters Ave. Malatesta owns and operates Vic's All Star Kitchen at 201 Main St.

Others holding top offices at the city-subsidized organization include Jim DeMersman, executive director of Museum on Main, 603 Main St., who is now the PDA's treasurer, and its secretary, Vera Revelli, owner and manager of the Civic Center Station building at 4725 First St.

Serving on the PDA's board of directors this year are Dirk Christiansen, Studio Seven Arts, 400 Main St.; Mark Kearns, Specialty Inspections, 261 Spring St.; Mari Kennard, Redcoats British Pub & Restaurant, 336 St. Mary St.; Dean Mancini, Murphy's Paw, 410 Main St.; Michael O'Callaghan, MCT Development & Construction, 125 W. Neal St.; Mike Peel, Keller Williams Tri-Valley Realty, 459 Main St., and Gary Schwaegerle, Schwaegerle Realtors, 189 Angela St.

Two Associate Members also were named to the PDA board. They are Angel Moore, Alameda County Fairgrounds Association, and Melanie Sadek, executive director of Valley Humane Society. Because their organizations are not in the city's downtown district, they will be non-voting members of the board.

The Pleasanton Downtown Association, with headquarters at 4725 First St., was established in 1984 by the City Council, which recognized this special business area with the creation of the PDA. The organization operates as an assessment district with the goal of "developing and promoting a vibrant downtown community."

It functions as a nonprofit organization with funding provided by member assessments on the 575 businesses located in the downtown district. It also receives matching city/taxpayer funds, sponsorships and revenue producing events.

This year, the PDA will receive about $65,000 in public funds to match the assessments paid, according to Laura Olson, executive director.