(LFUCG)–

The board of the Downtown Lexington Partnership has announced that Terry Sweeney will be the new organization’s first president and chief executive officer. The Partnership is a consolidation of the Downtown Lexington Corporation and the Lexington Downtown Development Authority.

Sweeney is currently the executive director of the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District in Corpus Christi, Texas. Prior to his current position he was with Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. for 15 years, where he last served as Vice President of Real Estate Development.  Sweeney played a key role in the highly successful revitalization of downtown Indianapolis, where he was involved with over 400 downtown projects worth over $8.5 billion.

Sweeney was selected by the board after a national search process yielded candidates from across the country.  Three finalists went through an in-depth interview process in Lexington that included dozens of downtown stakeholders. Mayor Jim Gray also met with each candidate and said, “Terry Sweeney will be an excellent fit for Lexington. With Town Branch Greenway, a new signature park, a new convention center and the restoration of the Historic Courthouse coming online, our City is ready to move to the next level. Terry has the know-how to help us get there.”

Sweeney, 42, is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a graduate of Wabash College, completed his Masters of Public Affairs-Public Management at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, and did graduate work at American University. He plans to begin work in Lexington on December 4th, the same day as the Downtown Lexington Partnership annual meeting.

The Downtown Lexington Corporation (DLC) has been marketing its members and the downtown experience for almost three decades.  The Lexington Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) has been coordinating downtown economic development and helping guide public projects for 15 years.