Category: Urban

International Downtown Association

The International Downtown Association (IDA) is a world leader and champion for vital and livable urban centers. Through its network of diverse practitioners, rich body of knowledge, and unique capacity to nurture community-building partnerships, IDA provides tools and strategies for creating healthy and dynamic urban centers. IDA members transform cities into healthy and vibrant urban places throughout the world.

David Downey

HRS recruited David Downey to serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Downtown Association in 2011.

David is responsible for the overall strategic positioning of IDA as a world leader and champion for vital and livable urban centers. Prior to joining IDA, David served as the Managing Director for the American Institute of Architects’ Urban Design Center and as Executive Director for the Michigan Chapter of the American Planning Association.

David has been a city advocate since the 1980s having received his degree in Architecture and Design with a focus on Urban Design. He speaks frequently throughout North America and has delivered talks in the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, El Salvador and Japan. David has served on numerous not for profit boards in the past 25 years and is currently serving on the boards of the Golden Triangle BID in Washington, DC and the Responsible Hospitality Institute.

Orlando Community Redevelopment Agency and Downtown Development Board

The mission of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is to aggressively pursue redevelopment and revitalization activities within the redevelopment areas in the 1,664 acre Downtown Redevelopment Area. The emphasis is on providing more housing and cultural arts opportunities, improving long-term transportation needs and encouraging retail development, while the Conroy Road and Republic Drive Redevelopment Areas focus on transportation

The mission of the Orlando Downtown Development Board (DDB) is to strengthen the role of Downtown Orlando as the economic, governmental and cultural center of Central Florida. The DDB is responsible for the planning, implementation and administration of the City’s core area redevelopment and development program.

Thomas Chatmon

HRS recruited Thomas Chatmon in 2007. Since joining the City of Orlando as Executive Director of the Downtown Development Board (DDB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), Thomas Chatmon oversees economic development, retail and business recruitment, marketing and special events programming, and housing development within the downtown CRA area. He has played an integral role in achieving some of downtown Orlando’s premier developments, including Church Street Plaza, Citi Tower, Marriott Orlando Downtown, Amway Center, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Chase Plaza, 55 West, SunRail, and more.

Currently, Thomas serves on the Homeless Services Network Board as Chair and the Canvs/FireSpring Fund/Starter Studio Board. He has served as past chair of the International Downtown Association (IDA) and has served on various community boards including past chair of Nap Ford Community School, MyRegion.org, WMFE Community Advisory Board, and the Central Florida Urban League Board.

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) was formed by Downtown businesses, professionals, civic organizations, foundations, and residents. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) is a non-profit community development organization that develops and implements innovative programs and initiatives to enhance the Downtown neighborhood, cultivate a vibrant residential population, and stimulate a diverse retail community. The PDP also promotes and markets this urban center to millions of people as the region’s premier destination to do business, to call home, or to visit for the best in shopping, dining, and entertainment. The PDP stands as staunch advocates for all those who make Downtown part of their lives—from businesses to workers to residents and visitors. The PDP advances initiatives that foster economic vitality and improve Downtown life – for a moment or for a lifetime.

Jeremy Waldrup

HRS recruited Jeremy Waldrup from New York City to serve as the President & CEO in 2011. Jeremy is responsible for working with the Board of Directors, stakeholders and staff to create and implement a vision that ensures Downtown Pittsburgh remains a vibrant and innovative place to live, work and play. During his tenure, Pittsburgh was listed as a “Top 20” finalist in Amazon’s HQ2 nationwide competition. Downtown Pittsburgh’s exciting and dynamic vibe contributed to Amazon’s interest in the region.

In addition to leading the work of the PDP, Jeremy participated in the inaugural class of Lead Now, an initiative of Leadership Pittsburgh and the Heinz Endowments, is a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh Class XXXI and serves as past chairman of the Board of Directors of Healthy Ride Bike Share Program. He has also been recognized as Bike Pittsburgh’s Advocate of the Year, a recent Pittsburgh Business Times Fast Tracker, and member of Smart Business’s Smart 50 – Class of 2015 and 2019, and a Top 100 Power Broker 2020 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. Jeremy has also served as a Board Member of the International Downtown Association.

Riverlife

Riverlife is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 by civic leaders who saw the opportunity to create a plan for the redevelopment of Pittsburgh’s downtown riverfronts. Riverlife works with property owners, developers, public officials, and neighborhood organizations on riverfront design, access, public amenities, and programming.

Vivien Li

HRS recruited Vivien Li, a nationally recognized waterfront expert, from Boston to serve as the President and CEO.

Riverlife has played a significant role in developing and collaborating on numerous Pittsburgh river projects which have enhanced public access and activated riverfront usage in a sustainable manner. Vivien led Riverlife from 2015-2018, and received recognition for her efforts, including an honorary degree from Allegheny College (PA) and ALCOSAN’s Clean Water Star Award.

St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership

For over five decades, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership has played a major role in transforming downtown St. Petersburg, always seeking to be the right catalyst at the right time to move the city forward through individual projects and initiatives. The Downtown Partnership’s legacy began with an extraordinarily successful first project – helping to locate a University of South Florida campus in St. Petersburg. The Downtown Partnership focused on Economic Development, Featured Initiatives, Innovation, Leadership Advocacy, and created and manages a Technology Fund.

The Downtown Project has led projects ranging from land acquisition for the USFSP campus, to support for the marine science sector of the economy, to investments in burgeoning technology companies. Most recently, the Downtown Partnership provided seed money and administrative support to launch the Warehouse Arts District and Innovation District. The organization also provides administrative support for The Looper, a free trolley system in Downtown St. Pete.

Jason Mathis

HRS recruited Jason Mathis to serve as the President and CEO in 2018. Previously, Jason served as the Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Since joining the Downtown Partnership, Jason has been involved with numerous projects designed to expand prosperity in St. Petersburg.