New London — New London Main Street on Tuesday announced the hiring of the former director of the city’s Office of Development and Planning as its interim full-time director.

Kristin Havrilla Clarke, whose most recent job was as the economic development specialist for the town of Groton, will replace Annah Perch at the nonprofit organization, starting Nov. 14. Perch had been the part-time director since 2013.

“Main Street is excited about moving in a new and more focused direction of marketing and promotion for the downtown,” Tracy Tremblay, president of the board for New London Main Street, said in a written statement.

Tremblay said the organization was planning a “more focused marketing and promotion plan for the downtown.”

“We feel it is the right time as an organization to go from a part-time director to full time in order to meet these initiatives,” she said.

Prior to the end of the six-month interim period, Tremblay said the board will assess the financial feasibility of moving forward with a permanent full-time director position. If feasible, a search for that position would take place, she said, and Clarke and others would be welcome to apply.

Perch, reached at the New London Main Street office Tuesday, said that, based on the amount of work required, a full-time director was needed and has been discussed ever since she was hired. Perch, however, said because of personal obligations, she was not able to work full time.

“It’s great news from New London Main Street,” Perch said of the hire.

Clarke will be tasked with managing a marketing program for New London’s Historic Waterfront District, which will include a newly developed tourism-based website to be introduced in 2017. The group also produces an events eblast — This Week in New London — a map and guide publication.

She will continue to “foster and grow partnerships with downtown organizations; increase a volunteer base for the organization; and promote the Historic Waterfront District as a destination” through marketing materials and promotional events for downtown merchants and restaurants, according to a statement from New London Main Street.

Clarke earned a bachelor degree in historic preservation from Roger Williams University and studied urban planning at New York University's Wagner School of Public Service. She is a founding board member of the Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition, where she serves on the executive board an is involved with the New London Soccer Club and a parent teacher organization at the Winthrop STEM Elementary School. She lives with her family in Niantic.

Clarke will be meeting with downtown city officials, partner organizations and businesses and working on a committee to produce Celebration of Lights & Song and with the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut to promote Small Business Saturday.

Main Street recently moved to the Garde Arts Center’s storefront gallery at 311 State St. and will be expanding the organization's partnership with the Garde through volunteer recruitment and other endeavors, according to the statement.

Clarke's salary was not immediately available. 

g.smith@theday.com