The Board of Centro San Antonio announced today that they have accepted the resignation of Centro CEO Matt Brown. Brown was hired for the position in June 2019.
“Matt has been a tremendous leader for the organization,” said longtime Centro board member David Adelman. “He embraced downtown and understood the critical role it played for all of San Antonio. One of Matt’s greatest accomplishments was leading Centro through COVID. While the center city still feels its effects, Matt and the team worked mightily to lessen the impact, consequently, we are doing better than most downtowns across the country,” added Adelman.
Brown, a recovering attorney, entrepreneur and corporate executive, came to San Antonio after serving as Director of Economic Development in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His desire to return to his home state of California and be closer to family was the main impetus for his difficult decision to leave Centro. He has also decided to return to the private sector for the next stage of his career.
“It has been an incredible ride in San Antonio. I’m grateful for all the support and partnership we received as the Centro team worked passionately every day to make downtown more beautiful, playful, prosperous and welcoming for everyone,” said Brown. “I’m proud of all we have accomplished from the Art Everywhere program, assisting hundreds of small businesses and launching retail Pop-Up incubators to the all the hundreds of events in Peacock Alley, La Zona and Travis Park enjoyed by over 200,000 people and securing $83M in new bond and TIRZ projects to continue transforming downtown.
Perhaps most importantly, I am excited for our Downtown Tomorrow Strategy that Mayor Nirenberg helped unveil recently. All of it has been an honor to be a part of…especially working with the amazing Ambassadors who are the best clean and safe team anywhere!”
The Centro San Antonio Board voted unanimously to appoint Trish DeBerry to fill the role as the organization’s new CEO. She had been tapped to assume the position of board chairman in April when developer Rene Garcia tragically died of cancer.
According to Centro Executive Board Member Ed Cross, Garcia’s passing coupled with Brown’s desire to transition out of Centro necessitated immediate action and a strong leader to take the helm of Centro.
“Trish has the perfect mix of private and public sector experience. Not to mention, she chose to office downtown for the better part of 20 years and has played key roles within Centro during that time. And, as a lifelong San Antonian, she brings amazing energy, passion and ideas that, no doubt, will reinvigorate downtown,” said Cross.
Before Brown departs in July, he will continue to oversee the reauthorization of the Public Improvement District (PID) which goes to City Council for a vote on June 22nd and assist with DeBerry’s transition into her new role.
“I appreciate the overwhelming support and vote of confidence by the Centro San Antonio Board of Directors,” said DeBerry. “Under Matt’s leadership, the Centro team has laid a great foundation that will enable downtown to build incredible momentum. There is a lot of work ahead as we engage with partners to execute the Downtown Tomorrow Strategy, while addressing pressing issues today like office vacancy and continuing to improve our core business of making downtown clean and safe. I look forward to leading Centro to the next level as we make downtown even more beautiful and welcoming for locals and visitors alike.”