Downtown Austin Alliance launches national CEO search for next leader of this vital Austin institution.
Current CEO DeWitt “De” Peart to retire in Q1 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 2024
AUSTIN, Texas—The Downtown Austin Alliance, the nonprofit organization that creates, preserves and enhances the vibe, vitality and value of downtown Austin for everyone, today announced that it has launched a nationwide search for a new CEO. The search will identify the successor to current President and CEO Dewitt “De” Peart, who will retire in the first quarter of 2025 after a decade of leadership of the Downtown Alliance. HRS, Inc., an executive search consulting firm that specializes in finding C-suite talent in the community and economic development industry, is leading the search, which will conclude by the end of 2024.
“This opportunity to lead one of Austin’s most important community organizations demands a leader of the highest caliber. We need someone who can navigate the complexities of our organization and serve as a key figure in Austin’s civic leadership.” Whitney May Knight, Downtown Austin Alliance Board Chair, said. “After careful consideration, we chose to partner with HRS, a highly qualified executive search firm with a proven track record of successful placements with organizations similar to the Downtown Austin Alliance. The Board is confident that by investing in and adhering to a detailed and transparent process, we will identify the best possible candidates to lead us into the future.”
The search process began in May with more than 75 community and organizational stakeholder interviews that helped shape the needs and responsibilities of the CEO job description. The resulting duties of the Downtown Alliance CEO include but are not limited to:
- Establish strategic direction in partnership with the Boards of Directors and promote active leadership and participation of the Board of Directors and organization’s members
- Oversee day-to-day operations and assure fiscal integrity and responsibility of the organization
- Develop, lead and sustain a high functioning, results-oriented team that maintains a collaborative culture and a demonstrated commitment to advancing inclusion
- Act as the liaison to the Board, Mayor’s office and city, state and federal governments, along with other key partners and stakeholders
- Work in partnership with government officials, owners, developers, community and business leaders, residents and all downtown stakeholder partners to enhance the vibe and vitality of downtown
- Serve as the primary face and voice for the organization, and be the primary advocate for the stewardship and promotion of downtown and the interest of the organization’s members and stakeholders
The job description also outlines the opportunities, including transformative mobility and infrastructure projects, and challenges—such as affordability, office vacancy rates and safety concerns and perceptions—facing the organization’s next leader.
“De is leaving a significant legacy behind.” Knight said. “He has been an exemplary and effective leader, guiding us through substantial growth and challenges. The Board will look for someone who can sustain, and build on, the success of the past decade and provide a clear vision for the future.”
The last day for applicants to submit a resume and qualifications for consideration is August 23. This fall, a selection process will narrow the candidate pool to five or six individuals who will participate in virtual interviews with the Board. The top two candidates will advance to in-person interviews and presentations to the Board and Downtown Alliance staff. Following these final evaluations, the new CEO will be announced before the end of the year.
HRS, Inc., is the premiere executive search consultancy firm that has conducted extensive, successful searches for other downtown and development organizations, including Downtown Cleveland Alliance, CENTRO San Antonio, New York State Economic Development Council and Downtown Indy, among many others, in the U.S. and Canada.
To see the job description and learn more about the Downtown Austin Alliance, please visit https://downtownaustin.com/about-us/join-our-team/
About Downtown Austin Alliance
The Downtown Austin Alliance (Downtown Alliance) works with key downtown stakeholders—property owners, residents, business owners, community organizations and government officials—to advance our collective vision for the future of downtown Austin. The Downtown Alliance is engaged in dozens of projects and issues that contribute to the safety, cleanliness and appeal of downtown Austin to residents, employees and visitors. As a full-time advocate for downtown, the Downtown Alliance is actively engaged in planning decisions that impact the area. We also advance downtown’s vision through direct services supporting safety and cleanliness. For more information, please visit downtownaustin.com.
About HRS, Inc.
HRS, Inc. is a privately held, client-centric corporation focused exclusively on identifying and evaluating C-Suite talent for the community and economic development industry. HRS provides clients with the best talent and creative leadership solutions available. The firm is recognized as a premier consultancy based on performance, contributions to industry “best practices,” and access to industry thought leaders.