"As our first and only executive director, Davis has undoubtably left huge shoes to fill in the wake of his untimely passing, but we look forward to continuing his work and finding a dynamic, qualified leader to pick up where he left off, building on the growth and success of downtown Baton Rouge," said Melanie Montanaro, chairwoman of the DDD Commission. "This is a position we are confident will attract attention and interest throughout the U.S., and our search will be guided by a process that leaves no stone unturned when it comes to identifying prospective candidates and ultimately selecting the best candidate for our next executive director."

The DDD selected Emergent Method, a Baton Rouge-based consulting firm, to lead the search process. The firm will conduct a nationwide recruiting effort, screen applicants for the position and work with the DDD search committee to narrow down candidates and select a new executive director.

As a passionate advocate and catalyst for the development of downtown Baton Rouge for over 30 years, the DDD has earned numerous regional, national and international awards for excellence in planning and development, guiding billions of dollars of investment throughout the downtown area. This includes multiple awards from the International Downtown Association for best practices and innovative projects.

The organization-a political subdivision of the state, overseen by an appointed commission and the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council-initiates and supports partnerships to develop and enhance the downtown district through master plans and economic incentives that aid private and nonprofit developments and entrepreneurial efforts.

The DDD executive director leads daily operations and long-term planning for the DDD, serving a crucial role in spurring the growth and vitality of downtown Baton Rouge, managing a team of DDD staff and overseeing capital projects, plans and contractors. The executive director also serves as the DDD spokesperson and primary point of contact for downtown development, public policy and projects among commission members, public officials, community leaders and other stakeholders across Baton Rouge.

For more information about the executive director position, see the link below. Candidates can submit a resume with a cover letter and references to ddd@emergentmethod.com. The application deadline is March 20.