Downtown Raleigh Alliance Announces New President and CEO
Hilda Pinnix-Ragland, Chairman of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance has announced that after an extensive search led by Conway and Greenwood, Inc., an executive search firm located in Raleigh, the Board of Directors is pleased to present David Diaz as the organization's new President & CEO. Diaz will be relocating to Raleigh from Roanoke, VA, and will officially assume the post in mid June. In making the announcement, Hilda Pinnix-Ragland said, "David is an outstanding addition to the DRA and brings a wide range of both public and private sector downtown experience to the job. We are fortunate to have David leading the team for the Downtown Raleigh Alliance."
David Diaz was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in the city of Philadelphia. In 1997, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish from Virginia Tech and received his commission as an Army officer from the ROTC program. For the next two years, he studied City and Regional Planning at Cornell University.
In 2000, David was hired as a City Planner in Roanoke where he co-authored Vision 2020, Roanoke’s 20-year Land Use Plan. David was promoted to Assistant to the City Manager where he developed a housing policy that targeted millions into Roanoke’s inner-city neighborhoods.
In 2002, David was hired as the Chief Executive of Downtown Roanoke, Incorporated and the Roanoke Foundation for Downtown, two nonprofit agencies devoted to downtown’s revitalization. In the same year, David was recognized by the Blue Ridge Business Journal as an emerging leader.
In May 2005, David was ordered to active duty where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the Multi-National Command in Baghdad where he trained elite police commandos, mentored Iraqi officials, and synchronized the intelligence requirements of Major General Joseph Peterson, his Commanding General. He was also assigned to a multi-agency intelligence team to analyze the Iraqi police forces for General Casey, the Commanding General of all military forces in Iraq.
In August 2006, David resumed his position at Downtown Roanoke, Incorporated and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Downtown Association, Total Action Against Poverty, and Event Zone. David will be joined by his wife Emily, an elementary school counselor who will be seeking a similar job in the triangle.
In January 2007, the Roanoker magazine recognized David as one of the Roanokers of the Year for 2006 for his experiences during his tour in Iraq.
“David Diaz is a leader in every way. He not only has proven his worth as the director of Downtown Roanoke; he also, in his other life, has given back to his country through service in Iraq. David possesses an inquisitive mind, a quick wit, and a wonderful ability to build consensus on tough issues. Raleigh is indeed fortunate to have him come aboard.” David Feehan, President International Downtown Association.
David Diaz was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in the city of Philadelphia. In 1997, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish from Virginia Tech and received his commission as an Army officer from the ROTC program. For the next two years, he studied City and Regional Planning at Cornell University.
In 2000, David was hired as a City Planner in Roanoke where he co-authored Vision 2020, Roanoke’s 20-year Land Use Plan. David was promoted to Assistant to the City Manager where he developed a housing policy that targeted millions into Roanoke’s inner-city neighborhoods.
In 2002, David was hired as the Chief Executive of Downtown Roanoke, Incorporated and the Roanoke Foundation for Downtown, two nonprofit agencies devoted to downtown’s revitalization. In the same year, David was recognized by the Blue Ridge Business Journal as an emerging leader.
In May 2005, David was ordered to active duty where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the Multi-National Command in Baghdad where he trained elite police commandos, mentored Iraqi officials, and synchronized the intelligence requirements of Major General Joseph Peterson, his Commanding General. He was also assigned to a multi-agency intelligence team to analyze the Iraqi police forces for General Casey, the Commanding General of all military forces in Iraq.
In August 2006, David resumed his position at Downtown Roanoke, Incorporated and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Downtown Association, Total Action Against Poverty, and Event Zone. David will be joined by his wife Emily, an elementary school counselor who will be seeking a similar job in the triangle.
In January 2007, the Roanoker magazine recognized David as one of the Roanokers of the Year for 2006 for his experiences during his tour in Iraq.
“David Diaz is a leader in every way. He not only has proven his worth as the director of Downtown Roanoke; he also, in his other life, has given back to his country through service in Iraq. David possesses an inquisitive mind, a quick wit, and a wonderful ability to build consensus on tough issues. Raleigh is indeed fortunate to have him come aboard.” David Feehan, President International Downtown Association.
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Media contact:
Downtown Raleigh Alliance
919-832-1231
Downtown Raleigh Alliance
919-832-1231