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Who We Are
Vision
Downtown is the diverse, unique and thriving heart of Durham, and is welcoming to all.
Mission
To enhance the environment, economy and vitality of downtown Durham, while preserving and enriching its distinctive culture and strong sense of community.
History
Downtown Durham, Inc. (DDI) is a 501(c) 6 organization, formed in 1993 to serve as a catalyst for downtown revitalization.
With almost $2 billion invested over the past 20 years, downtown is now a thriving climate able to support additional business, retail and housing growth. Since 1993 Downtown has grown from just 160 residents to more than 4,500, added more than 300 new businesses, increased its annual visitors by more than 1 million and added more than 2 million square feet of new office space
In 2012, DDI became the entity responsible for the downtown Durham Business Improvement District, a .8 mile area where property owners are assessed a small additional tax to create a cleaner, safer and more vibrant downtown community. The tax is used by the BID to fund the Ambassadors program, which provides maintenance services that supplement those offered by the city, as well as to develop and fund district-wide placemaking and marketing initiatives that support businesses located in the district.
Diversity Statement
WE BELIEVE
- Diversity is the foundation of Durham’s vitality and creativity.
- Downtown is the heart of Durham. It is welcoming to everyone and must reflect and honor Durham’s diversity.
- Diversity includes shared success in the form of access to ownership of businesses and property in downtown and adjacent corridors.
People
Nicole J. Thompson
President & CEO
Nicole began her career in economic development while working for the Institute of Minority Economic Development in downtown Durham in the early 90s. Since then, she has worked in economic and community development on the state government, local government and nonprofit/community levels in North Carolina, Virginia and Colorado. She has experience in leading economic development efforts and growth in both rural and urban areas. Prior to coming to Durham, Nicole spent four years in Colorado, where she was the Executive Director of the Leadville-Lake County Economic Development Corporation. While in this position, she worked tirelessly to advocate for responsible and strategic economic growth and development in Lake County. Nicole graduated from the University of Richmond with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Urban Studies and received a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Tiffany Bashore
Director of Business Engagement
Tiffany is the primary contact for new, existing and potential street-level retail, restaurant and service businesses in the downtown area.
Her most recent position was as Director of Member Relations at the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, where she played a pivotal role in member retention and engagement through personal outreach, events and programming to serve both members and community partners. She brings her extensive experience working with businesses, her knowledge of the community and her love of Durham to this critical position in our organization. She has 19+ years of community and business engagement experience and is well-known and beloved in the Durham community as a key player, organizer and advocate for local businesses.
Tiffany has deep roots in the Triangle. She is a graduate of Jordan High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Alexandra Benson
Placekeeping & Events Manager
Alexandra focuses on placekeeping initiatives, public activations and event strategies for the organization. Placekeeping – sometimes known as placemaking – is about transforming public spaces to strengthen the connections between people and these places.
Alexanda brings a wealth of experience to the role. Prior to joining DDI, she worked with the City of Durham's Cultural and Public Art Program to support equitable public art processes, evolving cultural policy, capacity building for artists, and a festival and special event grant funding program. Her portfolio of work includes municipal-led cultural and public art programming, community-informed placekeeping, grassroots arts advancement and reflecting on power and privilege as it relates to the creative sector.
Alexandra graduated from Salem College with a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management and Communication, and from North Carolina State University with a Master's of Public Administration (MPA).
Anna Branly
Director of Administration & Finance
Anna oversees internal operations, Human Resources and accounting for the organization.
She has spent her career in marketing, public relations, and small business management. While with a regional marketing firm, Anna supervised agency operations, including staffing, financials and client accounts, and she negotiated client media buys. She transitioned to the client side with a Durham-based real estate development company, where she was responsible for internal and external communications, government relations, event planning, media relations and branding. Most recently, Anna owned and oversaw the day-to-day operations for a specialty retail bakery in downtown Durham’s Five Points area.
Anna graduated from Elon College (now Elon University) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications.
Erik Nystrom
Clean & Safe
Operations Manager
Erik is the face of the Clean & Safe Ambassador Program for DDI. Since 2015, Erik has been the Ambassador Operations Manager, responsible for a team of ten full-time Ambassadors.
Erik has spent his career in natural resource management, landscaping and hospitality. After several years of managing operations in the landscape maintenance and design field, he transitioned to the hospitality industry, where he managed a platinum golf club, overseeing both landscaping and food and beverage operations. Immediately prior to joining DDI, Erik managed food and beverage operations and guest services for a large conference center.
Erik graduated from The Evergreen State College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Ecology and Natural History.
Gina Rozier
Director of Marketing,
Communication & Placekeeping
As the Director of Marketing, Communication & Placekeeping, Gina's most important role is telling the compelling story of downtown's businesses, organizations, residents and visitors in order to build on the success of this thriving and uniquely Durham community. Gina is responsible for branding, marketing, internal and external communications. She also leads the planning for many of the organization's major events.
Gina has spent her career working with nonprofit and governmental organizations, which has allowed her to follow her passion of serving and educating communities. In her most recent positions prior to joining Downtown Durham, Inc., she led marketing and communications teams at the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Computer Science and Durham County Library.
Gina graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, and from North Carolina Central University with a Master of Library Science degree.
Kenny Valenzuela
Director of Clean & Safe
Kenny is the Director of Clean & Safe for DDI. In this role, he ensures a welcoming and positive experience for the visitors, businesses and residents of downtown Durham. Prior to joining DDI, Kenny spent his career in tourism and hospitality. Most recently he managed multiple convention centers, where he was responsible for contract negotiations, sales, marketing, event planning and finance. He is passionate about serving and creating memorable experiences for the downtown Durham community.
Kenny moved to Durham in 2019 from New Mexico, where he studied Education at New Mexico State University.
Board of Directors
Zena Howard
Board Chair
Perkins & Will
Tucker Bartlett
Dorian Bolden
Rebecca Bolton
Jennings Brody
Susan Fierros
Jeff Furman
Gary Garber
Carey Greene
Shannon Healy
Brenda A. Howerton
Durham County Board of Commissioners
Akua Johnson Matherson
North Carolina Central University
Nish LeBlanc
Lennox and Grae
Shelley McPhatter
Mark-Anthony Middleton
Jeff Paine
Kevin Price
Travis Rouse
Justin Sacco
Anthony Scott
Scott Selig
Duke University Capital Assets
Lynn Solomon
Resident
Fasil Tesfaye
Iona Thomas
Larry Tilley
Lucy Wert
Yvette West
Resident
Contact
DDI Office Location
307 W. Main St. Suite 102
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919-682-2800
[email protected]
Tell Us About It
What’s great about downtown Durham, and what could be better? Your thoughts are always welcome.
Media
Find press releases, President & CEO bio, media contacts and more.
Careers
Downtown Durham, Inc. is currently hiring. Find the job descriptions and application information at our Careers at DDI page.