Downtown Greensboro Inc. (DGI) has announced that it has hired Rob Overman to serve as director of strategic initiatives.

Overman will be the first director of strategic initiatives for DGI and will be responsible for implementing the goals and objectives of DGI that are outlined in the 2030 Strategic Plan.

As director of strategic initiatives Overman will serve as the liaison between DGI and the City of Greensboro, the City Council, downtown stakeholders and organizations that support DGI’s mission.

DGI President and CEO and District 3 Greensboro City Councilmember-elect Zack Matheny said in a press release, “As a native of Greensboro, Rob’s passion for our city is evident and we couldn’t be more excited to have him on the team.  His experience with the inner workings of city government and unique knowledge of the challenges and opportunities that lied ahead for downtown Greensboro provides us with someone who can hit the ground running to make an immediate impact on the center city.”

Matheny who was elected to the City Council on July 26 will be sworn in on Thursday, August 11.

Overman has served as the executive director of Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc. (GDPI) for more than five years.  GDPI is a private nonprofit organization that manages Center City Park and LeBauer Park for the City of Greensboro and is one of the largest public/private partnerships in the city.  GDPI holds more than 450 free programs and events a year for the over 200,000 people who visit the two parks in the heart of downtown Greensboro.

Overman said, “As I reflected on this new opportunity to continue serving the community I grew up in, it became apparent to me that the mission and goals of DGI truly aligned with my values.  Having witnessed first-hand the impact DGI has on our downtown landscape, I am honored to join such a dynamic team and look forward to helping the organization for years to come.”