The St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership Names Jason Mathis as CEO

The Board of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership announced today the hire of Jason Mathis as the Chief Executive Officer of the organization. “His experience and expertise will complement our existing leadership structure in the City and contribute to St. Petersburg’s future and economic prosperity,” said Board Chair Melissa Seixas.

Jason has over 20 years of nonprofit-sector leadership experience. Prior to his hire, Jason served as the Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance in Salt Lake City, Utah. His previous experience includes communications, marketing, and branding with the Salt Lake Convention and Visitor’ Bureau. Jason has led several very creative and innovative programs focused on community building, as well as, innovative commercial and residential real estate projects, affordable housing, placemaking, innovation, and workforce development. His efforts have culminated in over $5 billion of public and private investment in Salt Lake City. Established in 1962, the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership is a shareholder-supported, not-for-profit organization that is focused on promoting sustainable, urban growth, and redevelopment in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. For over five decades, the Partnership has played a major role in transforming downtown St. Petersburg In recent years, with the support and advocacy of the Partnership, St. Petersburg has cultivated more than $1 billion in redevelopment investment — in arts and cultural institutions, research laboratories, expanded higher education, a medical complex, condominiums, retail, hotel, entertainment, major league baseball, and apartments. Jason and his family are looking forward to becoming members of the St. Petersburg community. "So many people have worked hard to build a dynamic and strong downtown for St. Petersburg. I am excited to contribute my efforts and passion to help optimize the opportunities and visibility of our downtown and urban economy” said Jason Mathis, CEO, St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership. Jason’s former organization had high praise for his leadership in Salt Lake City. “He makes us all feel like we are participants because of his collaborative, effortless style even though it is a very intense and political position. A cohesive force, he brought us all together. And we, the board and businesses of the Downtown Alliance wish him the best and thank him for making our downtown better than it has ever been because of his glowing presence and dedication” said Molly Mazzolini, Downtown Alliance past board chair. “Jason’s role in creating a vibrant downtown and prosperous capital city cannot be overstated,” said Derek Miller the president and CEO of the Downtown Alliance and Salt Lake Chamber. “His leadership and friendship will be missed by all who had the privilege of working with him.” Jason was chosen after a very thorough national search conducted by HRS, Inc. “The search produced an incredible array of very talented local, regional, and national leaders for the Executive Committee to consider,” Melissa Seixas said. HRS’s search engagement team was led by Dave Smith, President of HRS, Inc. and included Tina Winner and Steven Oberhoffer of Winner Partners.

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