DIA to interview 3 CEO finalists next Thursday

[thelakelander]

We'll have to live blog this!

Downtown Investment Authority board members plan public interviews next week of the three finalists to be the organization's first CEO.

The nine board members are scheduled to interview Kevin Hanna, New Orleans Redevelopment Authority director of real estate development; Michael Maher, Charleston Civic Design founding director; and Aundra Wallace, Detroit Land Bank Authority executive director.

The interviews are scheduled June 6 at a time and date to be announced. They are open to the public.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=539618

[ProjectMaximus]

im excited for an infusion of ideas from outside our little box.

[vicupstate]

Looks like Maher has taken himself out of the running.  He has taken a new position in Charleston.  Down to just two now.


http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130605/PC05/130609662/1010/charleston-civic-design-center-director-named-ceo-of-horizon-project

[CityLife]

My money is on Hanna...any takers?

[JayBird]

im excited for an infusion of ideas from outside our little box.

Agreed, I believe this has been Jacksonville's biggest hangup, different people with the same ideas no new blood

[thelakelander]

Glad to see Maher has passed on the job.  Out of the four finalist, he didn't appear to have as strong a background in downtown revitalization as the other three.  Edwards, the first eliminated, was the strong "downtown" guy.

As for the final two, this isn't like the JTA finalist interviews where Ford was clearly head and shoulders above the others. You pretty much get the same thing with either Hanna or Wallace.  I'm just hoping I can have my laptop repaired before tomorrow so I can live blog it.

[John P]

who do you want?

[fieldafm]

who do you want?

Edwards, he should be invited back down and be allowed to interview with the other two tomorrow.

[thelakelander]

John P, I preferred Edwards because I'm of the opinion that we need to get the basics right and he was head and shoulders above the others, when it came to that particular issue. I've come to that opinion based on the personal experience of seeing two of the places he was in charge of do a complete 180 degree turn around over the last 20 years. The issues they struggled with in the 1990s are the exact same issues we're dealing with now.

Nevertheless, I don't think either Hanna or Wallace makes or breaks downtown.  My guess is we'll have a more of a learning curve to work our way through.  Perhaps that curve won't be so bad and we'll benefit from their big city experience in other arenas. Only time will tell.

[Noone]

My money is on Hanna...any takers?

I'd go with Hanna as well. Kitty Ratcliffe had the New Orleans connection but now is in St. Louis. But Hanna will someday say Jacksonville is the big FIND for everyone and who doesn't want to be a part of that.