on August 9, 2016 / by Downtown Dallas Inc. / in Blog Posts, DDI News
Downtown Dallas, Inc. Welcomes Amy Tharp as Chief Operating Officer
New role created as a part of DDI’s vision for the future
August 4, 2016 – Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI) is thrilled to announce Amy Tharp as the organization’s new Chief Operations Officer (COO). In March of this year at DDI’s Annual Meeting, CEO John Crawford announced a transition plan that named Kourtny Garrett as President, to become President and CEO January 1, 2017, as Crawford steps into a Vice Chair role. Along with the leadership transition, Crawford announced a strategic plan to increase the organization’s capacity, responding to the growth and evolution of Downtown Dallas. The creation of a COO role is a part of that plan, as well as the recent announcement of the addition of Doug Prude as DDI’s Economic Development & Planning Analyst.
As COO, Tharp will work in tandem with the President and CEO to shape DDI’s strategic goals and annual work program, with a specific focus on operational execution. She will be responsible for enhancing the organization’s processes and infrastructure, as well as serving in an external role to build public-private partnerships. Tharp will be engaged in public policy, governmental affairs, and economic development initiatives, as well as special programs like bike share and education that enhance Downtown.
“Amy is a perfect fit for this role,” said Kourtny Garrett, President of DDI. “From working on Capitol Hill to the Chamber and running the second largest Public Improvement District in Dallas, her background is a highly unique marriage of public policy, economic development, community-organization, and organizational administrative management. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have her as a member of the DDI team.”
Tharp joins DDI with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration & Management Information Systems from Westminster College. In addition to serving on McKinney Avenue Transit Authority’s Board of Directors for the past four years, she has many years of valuable work experience including time as the Dallas Regional Chamber’s Manager of Public Policy, working for two Senators in Washington, D.C., and most recently as the President & Executive Director of Uptown Dallas, Inc. Just this year, Tharp was accepted into the Leadership Dallas class of 2016, made The Dallas Business Journal’s 2016 40 Under 40 list, was inducted into the Dallas Assembly, and also welcomed a baby boy with her husband.
“I love what we were accomplishing in Uptown, and the opportunity to continue advocating for urban improvements is exciting. Momentum is building in Downtown, and there’s never been a better time to be a part of the team making it happen,” said Tharp.
About Downtown Dallas, Inc.
Downtown Dallas, Inc. is the primary advocate, champion, and steward for Downtown, effecting change by developing strategies, setting targets, and mobilizing resources that:
- Stimulate a vibrant and sustainable Downtown environment
- Improve infrastructure
- Enhance economic competitiveness
- Create a culturally inclusive urban center
- Position the area as a global destination
Our program areas include: public safety; capital improvements; maintenance; economic development; public policy; planning/transportation; and marketing. For more information, visit www.downtowndallas.com
Contact:
Megan Spooner, Marketing Manager
spooner@downtowndallas.com
d: 214.744.6651 c: 214.862.4537
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