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A representation of those who know her professionally and personally, a varied group of professionals ranging from attorneys to contractors, as well as artist, boardwalk vendors community leaders and city officials gathered Tuesday night to bid a formal farewell to Madison Marquette General Manager Carrie Turner.

Turner’s last day will be Friday.

“She’s been a great ambassador for Madison Marquette,” city attorney Fred Raffetto said during the event at The Wonder Bar.

Turner led operations along the Asbury Park Boardwalk for seven summer seasons, from 2010-2016, and has nurtured the hiring of local residents, particularly high school students looking for summer employment.

“She’s amazing,” said co worker Carol Avale, Madison’s Development Administrator. “We are all very very upset that she is leaving us. Her and I have sat next to each other for all of seven years. She’s always been hands on with everything; every department and facet of our office. She keeps all of us happy and calm at all times and she’s always a great sounding board for all of us too.”

The Georgia native said she will take some time to travel before deciding on her next venture. Among the things she will take from her tenure is an overwhelming sense of community support.

“As a person without family close by, I know that if I ever need anything there are about 15 people that I can call for support,” she said. “The folks here are incredibly engaged and are very giving of their time and expertise.”

And for someone who managed the boardwalk day to day during the increasingly popular boardwalk tourist season, Turner found time to give back to the community in more ways than one.

The 41-year-old served as a member of Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees for 6 years, serving for 5 years as a co-vice president and most recently stepping in as acting president.

She spent countless hours serving on the city’s Parking Advisory Committee and has volunteered with the Asbury Park Toy Drive, as a Reading Buddy at the Barack Obama School, and the Asbury Park Community Action Network’s housing sub-committee, saying that was where she gravitated given her background.

Turner obtained her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Georgia prior to obtaining her master’s degree in urban studies with a concentration in affordable housing from Temple University.

She worked for Camden, NJ, based housing nonprofit, St. Joseph’s Carpenter Society, before taking a post with the City of Camden, during the State sponsored takeover of the City, serving as the Assistant Director of Camden Redevelopment Agency prior to accepting the post with boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette.

“Urban redevelopment is what I like,” she said. “I’ve worked in the field on the nonprofit side, the government side and the private side.”

And whether you know her by name or face, everyone most certainly knows her by her work. Helping to nurture the creative spirit of the city’s residents, Turner has spoken up in support of vendors who offer more than the traditional boardwalk venues.

“Carrie was an incredible leader, teacher and friend to all of us,” said co worker Amanda DiRobella. “She is truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”

Under her guidance we saw the implementation of the Wooden Walls art project, outdoor beach and waterfront concerts, beach glamping, the controversial and now widely popular North Eats food truck court, and the one of kind pop venues and galleries.

“She was all business but really took care of us tenants,” said Richard Schlossbach of the Marilyn Schlossbach Group. “And, she was a lot of fun when she wasn’t working.”

Asked what will stick in her mind as memorable events, Turner mentioned that participating in the coordination efforts for the Bamboozle Festival in 2012 and President Barack Obama’s visit following Superstorm Sandy, were highlights. Both events drew record numbers of visitors to the waterfront.

“Getting through Hurricane Sandy was pretty traumatic,” Turner said. “When I look at what everything looks like today and remember what it was like that morning when I got the call about 4:00 a.m., I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, not only because of what we rebuilt, but because of the team of people-Madison, tenants, contractors, the City, and the State, that came together to do it, mainly by the following Memorial Day weekend.”

Most recently Turner, spearheaded Madison’s effort to bring Forth Union skateboard park to fruition in the historic Carousel building.

“I lovingly refer to it as my child because it was about 9 months of planning and labor to bring it on line,” Turner said.

Behind the scenes there was coordination with the City Construction Department and the Planning Board process, local skateboarders, Derek Rinaldi and Lou Metal, who act as advisors to the project, and Red Bull, the donor of the skate bowl.

“I am thrilled by how popular it has become in the very short time that it has been open and look forward to it having a tremendous 2017 season,” Turner said.

“I really do feel that the boardwalk has turned a corner, Turner said. “Asbury Park is going to come off of transitional aid, it’s going to be self-supporting, it’s going to get even richer in terms of opportunity. That’s exciting and I feel fortunate to have been a very small part of this City’s recent upward trajectory.”

Mayor John Moor said the City Council will recognize Turner via proclamation at a future date.

“It was always a pleasure dealing with her because no matter what the subject she got it,” Moor said. “Whether we agreed or disagreed, and no matter what the subject matter, she was always sincere.”

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