Zack Matheny, president and CEO of Downtown Greensboro Inc., has been elected president of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Downtown Development Association (NCDDA).

Matheny said in a press release, “I’m honored to have been elected for this position and I look forward to sharing our great city with other urban professionals throughout the state.  I’ve always believed in collaboration as a key ingredient to Greensboro’s growth, and the expertise of the NCDDA members will be a vital resource to our city’s future.”

Matheny is serving a three-year term on the NCDAA board and also serves on the International Downtown Association Board of Directors.

The NCDDA is a non-profit organization that focuses on education and advocacy for economic growth and development in the downtowns of North Carolina cities. NCDDA members include downtown development managers, coordinators and main street managers, economic developers, town planners, town managers, architects, landscape architects and other professions related to downtown development.

Matheny resigned his position on the Greensboro City Council to accept the job of president of DGI in 2015.  Since Matheny took over, Downtown Greensboro has undergone tremendous growth with over $500 million in development including new restaurants, shops, offices, residential developments and hotels.

During the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions DGI has been instrumental in supporting small businesses in the center city, investing over $250,000 in Retail Revitalization, Feeding the Frontlines, #DGSOtogo and the Summer Passport program.

Matheny served as the District 3 city councilmember from 2007 until he resigned in 2015.  At the time councilmembers served two-year terms.  In March, Matheny announced his intention to run for the District 3 City Council seat in the 2022 election.  The current District 3 city councilmember, Justin Outling, has announced he is running for mayor in 2022.