The Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board needs a new director. Ron Butlin, the organization’s current executive, announced his resignation Aug. 1 because of family health issues. His last day will be Sept. 30.
“This was a difficult decision,†Butlin said in press release, “but family health issues dictated this was the right time to transition. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the last three years and look forward to seeing what the future holds.â€
Butlin joined the DIB in 2013, after four years as executive director for the Downtown Partnership in Colorado Springs, an organization similar to the DIB. His tenure coincided with a period of unprecedented growth for Downtown Pensacola.
“We hate to see Ron go,†DIB Chairman John Peacock said, “but we have a lot of initiatives on the horizon and are excited to see what sort of new ideas these candidates bring to the table.â€
A search committee, chaired by board member Jim Homyak, has been created to winnow the applicant pool down to a list of finalists, which will be presented to the full board at their Oct. 18 meeting.
Assistant director Lissa Dees, who Peacock called “extremely competent,†will helm the organization until the position is filled.
Peacock said the eventual director would have their hands full, with a number of new initiatives on the horizon.
“They will have to be someone of strong vision,†Peacock said. “They’ll also need to have the will to push that vision forward and the ability to work collaboratively with other governmental entities. Most importantly, though, we want someone who sees the potential in this community and is passionate about moving it forward.â€
Those interested in applying for the position should send a resume and cover letter to dib@ideaworks.co.