Our Vision
About IDA
IDA Vision
The International Downtown Association is a world leader and champion for vital and livable urban centers. Through its network of diverse practitioners, its rich body of knowledge, and its unique capacity to nurture community-building partnerships, IDA provides tools, intelligence and strategies for creating healthy and dynamic centers that anchor the well-being of towns, cities and regions of the world.
IDA Mission
The International Downtown Association connects diverse practitioners who transform cities into healthy and vibrant urban places.
IDA Executive Committee
The IDA Executive Committee acts for the Board of Directors in the interval between Board Meetings and considers items for recommendation to the Board.
Tami Door
Chair
Tami joined the Downtown Denver Partnership in 2005 as President & CEO after serving as Executive Vice President of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s largest regional chamber, and as Vice President of a five-state division of NBD-First Chicago. She is the co-founder of Denver Startup Week and The Commons on Champa. Tami is a recognized leader for her innovative approach to convening, collaborating and innovating to build a strong city. She is also the Chairman of the International Downtown Association.
Kathleen Rawson
Chair Elect
Kathleen Rawson has more than 25 years of experience in both Hospitality and Destination Management. For the past 20 years, Kathleen has served as the CEO of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., a private/nonprofit company contracted with the City of Santa Monica to manage programs to enhance the vitality of the District. During her tenure, Kathleen has successfully transformed Downtown Santa Monica into the largest property based assessment district, by budget, in the State of California. With an annual budget of nearly $8 million, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. provides Ambassador and Enhanced Maintenance programs as well as a comprehensive marketing program and annual event series. Kathleen is currently the Chair Elect of IDA, is immediate past chair of the Santa Monica Malibu Education Foundation and just completed her term on the Venice Land Use and Planning Committee for the Venice Neighborhood Council.
Tim Tompkins
Immediate Past Chair
Tim Tompkins has been the President of the Times Square Alliance since 2002. He is a board member of the NYC BID Association and the current Chair of the International Downtown Association. Prior to joining the Alliance, he was the Founder and Director of Partnerships for Parks, and has also worked at New York City’s Economic Development Corporation, The New York City Charter Revision Commission, and was briefly the Nationals Editor at the Mexico City News. He currently teaches “Transforming Cities” and “The Arts and Artist in Urban Revitalization” at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
Charles Gauthier
Secretary
Charles has been at the helm of the DVBIA since 1992 and guided the DVBIA to a legacy of accomplishments. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba he has a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Manitoba. Throughout his career he has worked for NGOs and served on the boards of the International Downtown Association and the BC Chapter of the Canadian Society of Association Executives.
Dewitt Peart
Treasurer
Dewitt (De) Peart leads the Downtown Alliance team in fulfilling its mission to create, preserve, and enhance the value and vitality of downtown Austin. De became the President and CEO of the Downtown Austin Alliance in February 2015. He guides the vision and strategy, supervises staff and ensures the organization’s fiscal health. Prior to taking the helm at the Downtown Alliance, De served as executive vice president, economic development and public affairs at the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, president of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance (PRA), and president of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce – both affiliates of the Allegheny Conference.
Neil Albert
Vice Chair
Neil Albert has been President and CEO of the DowntownDC Business Improvement District since September 2015. Neil’s career includes senior executive service with the District of Columbia Government, serving as City Administrator and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and Director of Parks and Recreation. Neil was named a 2016 Washington Business Journal Minority Business Leader and was selected by the Washington Business Journal as a Power 100 of 2015 “Connector.” Neil chairs the board of commissioners of the District of Columbia Housing Authority, is a member of the executive committee of the DC Policy Center, and a member of the board of IDA. Neil holds an MBA in finance from the New York Institute of Technology and is an avid marathoner.
Christian Martin
Vice Chair
Christian Martin is the founding Executive Director of the Lower Polk Community Benefit District (CBD). Prior to joining the Lower Polk CBD, he served as the Executive Director of the Trenton Downtown Association in Trenton, NJ. In addition, Christian has extensive experience in the executive and legislative branches of New Jersey State government. In San Francisco, Christian has developed innovative programs to address homelessness and quality of life issues in the Lower Polk neighborhood.
Mary Miller
Vice Chair
Ms. Miller was appointed President & CEO of the Downtown Norfolk Council (DNC) in 2013 and is responsible for working with the Board of Directors to ensure DNC is the leading advocate for downtown to advance downtown’s position as the thriving cultural and economic center of Coastal Virginia. She previously served as the Vice President of the organization and in various positions with the City of Norfolk, Virginia. Mary holds a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Rhode Island and a bachelor of science degree in architecture from The Catholic University of America. Mary currently serves on the boards of the International Downtown Association, the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association and VisitNorfolk.
David Downey
IDA President
As President and Chief Executive Officer, David is responsible for the overall strategic positioning of IDA as a world leader and champion for vital and livable urban centers. Prior to joining the IDA, David served as the Managing Director for the American Institute of Architects’ Urban Design Center and as Executive Director for the Michigan Chapter of the American Planning Association. David has been a city advocate since 1980s having received his degree in Architecture and Design with a focus on Urban Design. He speaks frequently throughout North America and has delivered talks in the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Australia, Sweden, Denmark, El Salvador and Japan. David has served on numerous not for profit boards in the past 25 years and is currently serving on the boards of the Golden Triangle BID in Washington, DC and the Responsible Hospitality Institute.
IDA Board of Directors
View the full board of directors.
2020 Strategic Plan
IDA’s strategic plan outlines organizational goals through 2020.
IDA Bylaws
View IDA’s bylaws.
