The Daily Advertiser

The Board of Directors of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) announced Tuesday that Nathan R. Norris would resign as CEO of the DDA and Downtown Lafayette Unlimited to take a new position effective Jan. 1.

Pat Trahan, DDA board chairman, said Norris has accepted a job with another group, but that organization is not ready to announce yet.

Norris will remain with DDA through the end of the year, fulfilling his role as usual, Trahan said, and assisting in the transition.

"We're going to put together a small transition team and assess needs going forward and the profile of the next leader we want to recruit," Trahan said.

He said the team will likely comprise both DDA board members and members of the community.



In a prepared statement released early Tuesday, Norris was quoted saying, “It has been a great privilege to serve Downtown Lafayette over the past several years. It has especially been rewarding to see an increased understanding of the vital role that the downtown plays for the entire region — economically and culturally. As I look ahead to begin my new role in January, I will carry the lessons and generosity of the people in Lafayette with me and I have great confidence in the board and downtown business community to execute the vision that we’ve all worked so hard to create."

Trahan noted that during Norris' tenure, Downtown Lafayette won national awards for its code and its Creativity Everywhere initiative, accolades echoed by Downtown Lafayette Unlimited board president Gordon Schoeffler in the Tuesday release.



“Since taking on this position, Mr. Norris has helped our team achieve back-to-back record-breaking years for DTA!, increased our visibility in the community and helped facilitate the creation of other civic organizations such as the Acadiana Food Alliance and the Downtown Lafayette Restaurant & Bar Association,” said Gordon Schoeffler, DLU Board President.





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