Shawn Platt is stepping down as a top spokesman for Ilitch Holdings Inc. after eight months as vice president of corporate communications.

He said he is returning to Grand Rapids.

"Michigan has long been my home, and I have been honored to be part of such a dynamic organization that continues to bring transformative change to Detroit," Platt, 45, said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. "While a difficult decision — for family reasons — I have decided to step away from my role to spend more time in my hometown of Grand Rapids."

He said Ilitch Holdings will begin looking for a replacement and he will stay on board "in an advisory capacity through the end of the month."

The Purdue University graduate came to Detroit after eight years as global director of corporate communication and brand for Amway, the DeVos family's Grand Rapids-based multilevel marketing firm.

He was tasked with handling media relations for the Ilitch family's District Detroit project, which was announced more than five years ago as an effort to concurrently redevelop and develop office, residential, retail, restaurant and bar space on 45-50 blocks north of downtown largely owned by the billionaire family.

Since then, however, much of what was promised has not come to fruition, particularly promised residential development, although Little Caesars Arena, home to the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons, opened as the area's anchor two years ago after a $862.9 million construction process.

The project received $398.1 million in public financing.

Platt replaced Doug Kuiper, who had held that job since 2014 and left in July 2018 to join the Michigan Economic Development Corp. as senior vice president of marketing and communications.