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Experience that Makes the Difference
With nearly twenty years' experience, Civitas provides unparalleled expertise in forming, modifying, and renewing improvement districts.
Improvement districts provide structure and stable funding for economic development through revitalization and marketing efforts. Civitas' team of experts has guided over 100 districts through the formation, modification, or renewal process. Civitas has formed property and business based districts, city and county wide districts, and improvement and marketing districts. Civitas' clients are innovative cities, counties, and community organizations working together to create a strong future for their locale.
Civitas provides unmatched expertise in district formation and renewal. Civitas' founder and current president, John Lambeth, has authored business improvement district laws in California, Nevada and Hawaii. He helped form California's first property and business improvement in 1995, a vigorous district that continues to operate today. Civitas has also worked with international districts in South America; in 2011 our efforts led to formation of Central America's first BID in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Whether your district is old or new, large or small, rural or urban, Civitas' experience will help you make a difference. Civitas provides comprehensive management of all aspects of the formation, renewal, and modification processes, for an efficient, effective, expertly guided project. Civitas approaches every project with a customer centric philosophy, and works closely with clients and district stakeholders to make their vision reality.
Civitas Staff
John A. Lambeth, President Email
Mr. Lambeth specializes in the creation and operation of business improvement districts. A special district attorney, he was a primary author of California's "Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994." He has been involved in all aspects of BID formation and modification, including outreach to owners, plan development, and petition/ballot campaigns. more >
Lorena Parker, Project Manager Email
Mrs. Parker has actively worked with BIDs in the Los Angeles area for over ten years. From 2006 to 2008 she served as the Chairperson of the Los Angeles Business Improvement District Consortium. Mrs. Parker holds a BS in Business Administration, Marketing from California State University, Northridge.
Darlene Rios Drapkin, Project Manager Email 
Darlene is dedicated to maximizing commercial district's potential. She has over fifteen years business district revitalization experience, including managing Oakland's Fruitvale, Koreatown/Northgate, and Temescal BIDs. She has also worked with numerous other districts and Main Street programs throughout the United States and is able to conduct business in Spanish, French, and Portuguese. She holds an MBA and downtown management certification.
Melanee Cardoza, Paralegal
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Ms. Cardoza has spent several years managing the operations of special districts in California, specializing in legal document preparation. She is President of the Sacramento Valley Paralegal Association. She earned a BA in History at California State University, Sacramento and graduated with honors.
Sean Pratt, GIS & Database Specialist Email 
Mr. Pratt specializes in creating, updating, and managing property owner information databases. He earned a bachelor of arts degree at UC Davis. He began his GIS career while working for UC Davis Plant Sciences, and earned an Associate degree at American River College in GIS.
Marissa Martinez, Executive Assistant Email 
Ms. Martinez is a graduate of California State University, Fresno, where she earned a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing, as well as a certificate in Mass Communications and Journalism. She is a Delta Gamma Alumni who joined Civitas after five years in the travel Industry. She has extensive experience in operations management, marketing, human resources, accounting, and event planning.
Civitas Partners
David Feehan , President & CEO, Civitas Consultants LLC
Civitas has been fortunate to work with Mr. David Feehan, President and CEO of Civitas Consultants, a Maryland based firm, on many projects. The former President and CEO of the International Downtown Association, Mr. Feehan has worked with community business districts throughout the United States for over twenty years. more >