News Summary
The Downtown Investment Authority of Jacksonville has revealed three finalists for the CEO position as current CEO Lori Boyer prepares for her retirement in 2025. The finalists, Danny Chavez, Lara L. Fritts, and Colin Tarbert, will be interviewed by the DIA board on June 9. The board aims to make a selection by June 20, with plans for a seamless leadership transition and the approval of an ordinance to enhance the DIA’s autonomy in incentive programs.
Jacksonville – The Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) of Jacksonville has announced the three finalists for the CEO position, as current CEO Lori Boyer prepares for her retirement on June 30, 2025. Boyer, who has held the CEO position since 2019, played a crucial role in the creation of the DIA legislation in 2012 and has been a pivotal figure in the development of Jacksonville’s downtown area.
The finalists will be interviewed by the DIA board on June 9 at City Hall, with interview sessions scheduled for 10 a.m., noon, and 1:30 p.m. in the Henry Cook Room. Each candidate’s interview is expected to last one hour and 15 minutes. Following these interviews, the board will make its selection for Boyer’s successor, with the intention of extending a job offer by June 20, although contract negotiations may run longer.
The three finalists for the CEO position are:
Danny Chavez, a former chief economic development officer for the city of Waco, Texas, brings extensive experience in economic development. He led downtown redevelopment projects in Waco and managed an 18-member team with a budget of $12.9 million. Prior to his role in Waco, Chavez served as a business recruitment officer with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. He holds 11 years of experience in economic development across various Texas cities and graduated from Angelo State University in Texas.
Lara L. Fritts is currently the division director of the Frederick County Department of Economic Opportunity in Maryland, where she has been since April 2023. In this role, she integrates economic development and workforce services within the same department and supervises 43 employees along with a $7.5 million budget. Previously, she was the CEO and executive vice president of Community Redevelopment Inc. in Annapolis and has held roles that include director of economic development in Salt Lake City and president of the Greater Richmond Partnership. Fritts holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Colin Tarbert has nearly six years of experience serving as the president and CEO of the Baltimore Development Corporation. His notable accomplishments include negotiating a $250 million redevelopment project of CFG Bank Arena and managing a $45 million market showcasing nearly 50 local vendors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tarbert issued 2,000 grants totaling over $30 million. His previous experience also includes a position as deputy chief of strategic alliances in the Baltimore mayor’s office. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Maryland.
In addition to preparing for the new CEO, the Jacksonville City Council is working on a proposal to grant the DIA board increased autonomy regarding the approval of incentive programs. The proposal, included in Ordinance 2025-0395, aims to remove the requirement that Council approve Recapture Enhanced Value grants and allow DIA resolutions to be directly introduced to the council. The ordinance was initially drafted to require council approval in the hiring and firing of the CEO, but amendments were made to keep that authority with the DIA board.
On May 21, the DIA board approved up to $45,000 for Boyer’s post-retirement professional services, which will include contract negotiations and project drafting. This funding highlights the board’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition in leadership after Boyer’s departure.
The search for a new CEO began with community input on the desired qualifications, facilitated by the consulting firm Jorgenson Pace, which has previously assisted in CEO recruitment. As the search process moves forward, Boyer has noted the importance of adaptability in the new CEO to address shifting market priorities and the necessity of maintaining strong community and governmental relationships.
The DIA board expects the selection process to conclude in three months or less, with focused recruitment efforts both locally and nationally to find the best candidate to lead Jacksonville’s downtown investment initiatives.
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Additional Resources
- Jax Daily Record: Finalists to Replace Jacksonville DIA CEO Lori Boyer
- Wikipedia: Downtown Investment Authority
- Jax Daily Record: Search Begins for Downtown Investment Authority CEO
- Google Search: Downtown Investment Authority CEO
- Jacksonville.com: DIA Picks Lori Boyer as New CEO
- Google Scholar: Downtown Investment Authority
- Jax Daily Record: DIA Committee Lays Groundwork for New CEO
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Downtown Investment Authority
- Jax Daily Record: Boyer One of Three Finalists for DIA Chief Position
- Google News: Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority
