Mathis leaves Downtown Alliance for similar post in Florida

The Downtown Alliance is looking for a new executive director following the resignation of Jason Mathis.

Mathis, who also has served as executive vice president of the Salt Lake Chamber since 2008, recently announced he will become chief executive officer of the Downtown Partnership in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was to work at the alliance through early August.

The Downtown Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a dynamic and diverse community that is the regional center for culture, commerce and entertainment. Established in 1991, the Downtown Alliance represents more than 2,500 business and property owners in the Central Business District. The Downtown Alliance became a strategic partner of the Salt Lake Chamber in 2003 and shares office space and administrative resources with the chamber.

“This has been much more than a job to me,” Mathis said. “I love this community and I am profoundly grateful to have helped to be part of our city’s evolution.” 

“Jason’s role in creating a vibrant downtown and prosperous capital city cannot be overstated,” said Derek Miller, president and CEO of the chamber and alliance. “His leadership and friendship will be missed by all who had the privilege of working with him. Although Jason cannot be replaced, the Downtown Alliance will undertake an immediate search to fill the large void he will leave behind.”

Mathis helped to encourage and support more than $5 billion in new investment in downtown, including office, residential and retail projects. He played important roles in the development of City Creek, the Eccles Theater, the revitalization of The Gateway and supporting Main Street’s resurgence and was a downtown advocate with state, county and city policy makers.

During the past decade, Mathis has helped to launch several initiatives in downtown Salt Lake City, including EVE/Last Hurrah, GREENbike, Downtown the Magazine, Downtown Rising, the Street Ambassadors and the HOST Program, along expansions of popular programs like Dine O’Round and the Farmers Market. Most recently, he helped launch The Blocks, Salt Lake’s Cultural Core.

In 2010, Mathis led efforts to write The Utah Compact that helped to change immigration policies in Utah and around the country. President Barack Obama named him a “White House Champion of Change” for his work in 2013.

“Jason’s leadership has guided a team of culture, commerce and entertainment specialists who give their hearts, minds and souls each and every day to create a renewed urban foundation,” said Molly Mazzolini, past board chair of the Downtown Alliance.

“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.”

Mathis said many people have worked hard to build a dynamic and strong downtown for St. Petersburg. “It is an amazing place,” he said, “and I am excited to contribute my efforts and passion to help take St. Petersburg’s economy and skyline to the next level.”