Fran Spencer Has Died

Longtime ICSC volunteer and proponent of Chicago retail development Fran Spencer died last month.

Spencer formed The Pendulum Partners in 2009, after serving the city of Chicago as an assistant commissioner for 12 years in the Department of Planning and Development, where she was responsible for the Retail Chicago program. This aggressive outreach program introduced retailers, brokers and developers to the population-dense, ethnically diverse communities of Chicago and expedited their entry into these markets by serving as a one-stop shop to address and resolve concerns and situations.

Spencer was a strong supporter of ICSC’s local outreach efforts, serving as a mentor to new public sector members. She helped develop and present the public-sector orientation at the annual convention and provided technical assistance in the development of promotional materials, including a deal making video directed toward the public sector.

“Fran was the ultimate ICSC volunteer,” said Eber CRE Advisory Services principal Norris Eber. “She could be called upon at a moment’s notice to provide technical expertise, to serve on a panel or to speak to potential members. She was a true promoter and cheerleader for ICSC.” ICSC recognized Spencer for her efforts as the first public sector member of ICSC to be awarded the ICSC Trustees’ Distinguished Award, in 2002. Matanky Realty Group CEO James Matanky said Spencer was a wonderful and caring person and a good friend. She gave her time to many organizations, he said, but agreed ICSC was a prime beneficiary.

Before employment with the city of Chicago, she spent l5 years in shopping center management, marketing and leasing, responsible for properties in seven Midwestern states for three national management and development companies. During this time, Spencer also served as a commissioner for the Village of Arlington Heights and as a member of the Arlington Alliance, the village’s business recruitment/retention arm. She served as associate dean in 2000 and dean in 2001 for the School of Economic Development for the ICSC University program and taught economic development courses for the program annually.

Spencer served as a charter member of the 1998 ICSC Illinois Program Planning Committee and continually served as Illinois Alliance Program Planning Committee co-chair, before moving up to serve the Central Division. Spencer also served as Alliance co-chair (public sector) for the Central Division during her tenure with the city of Chicago and was appointed Alliance co-chair (private sector) for the Central Division when she became a private sector consultant. She played an instrumental role in the transition of the Alliance Program to the P3 Retail program and served as an emeritus member of the P3 Retail Advisory Committee. She also served on the ICSC Urban Markets Task Force and was on the advisory committees for a variety of ICSC publications, including Retail as a Catalyst for Economic Development, Developing Successful Retail in Underserved Urban Markets and Retail 1-2-3.