Jemison, the current director of housing and revitalization for the city of Detroit, replaces Rodrick Miller, who stepped down from the DEGC in March. Jemison begins his new role effective Dec. 15, the DEGC said in a news release. DEGC CFO Glen Long was serving in the role on an interim basis after Miller's departure.

Jemison joined the city of Detroit in 2014, previously serving as the deputy director of the department of housing and community development in Massachusetts. Prior, he served in various governmental roles in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., including special assistant to the deputy mayor for planning and development of the nation's capital. There he worked on securing the site for the Washington Nationals, CityCenter DC and the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C.

Working for the city of Detroit, Jemison crafted a new ordinance to require developers to allocate at least 20 percent of new units to affordable housing units, the opening of more than 1,400 units including 400 affordable units since 2015 and secured an $8.9 million grant from the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development to drive public improvements for targeted neighborhoods.

Jemison said his first move when he takes over is to share his strategic vision with his staff, which he declined to discuss before starting his new role.

"I've got a sense of the vision of the organization and I think the goal will be to continue to have the DEGC be at the epicenter of the partnerships that increase employment in the city and expand opportunities," Jemison said. "I want to make sure the city is for everyone and for every kind of person."

Jemison said he does plan to work hard on more industrial projects in the city, including help develop a plan for the industrial district off Mt. Elliott Street.

"Arthur has been critical to our efforts to make sure the city's revitalization reaches all of our neighborhoods," Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a statement. "He is an outstanding choice to lead the DEGC as it continues to a larger role in attracting equitable growth and development to Detroit."

Jemison earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts and a master's from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Before stepping down to form his own consulting practice Ascendant Global, Miller was involved in the launch of the Motor City Match grant program for small businesses, along with large real estate deals including the opening of a Microsoft Corp. office in Detroit and the Ally Financial Inc. move from the Renaissance Center to One Detroit Center, among others.

He was also been involved in the Little Caesars Arena construction process and the Detroit Pistons' move from The Palace of Auburn Hills.