Downtown Orlando

Thomas Chatmon, Jr., Executive Director

Since joining the City of Orlando in 2007 as Executive Director of the Downtown Development Board and Community Redevelopment Agency, Thomas has played an integral role in numerous areas within the private and public sectors of the community with his involvement on various projects and boards. He worked on negotiations in the City’s unprecedented Community Venues deal that will bring a state-of-the-art Events Center serving as the new home for the NBA’s Orlando Magic, a world-class Performing Arts Center and a renovation of the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium with a combined estimated project cost of $1.1 billion. Orlando is one of the only cities in the world to build and improve three community venues simultaneously. He is the Board Chair for the Nap Ford Community School Foundation; a school founded on the principals that it takes the whole community to educate the whole child, and that every child will learn; sits on the WMFE Channel 24 Board; Orlando’s PBS affiliate; and serves on the University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Advisory Committee.

Most recently, he was the lead negotiator in the Renaissance at Carver Square building project, which is a $50 million mixed-use project planned for Orlando’s historically African-American community in the Parramore District of Downtown that was approved by City Council and the CRA. Once complete, the building’s anchor tenant will be the Urban Trust Bank, founded by Robert Johnson, owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats and founder of B-E-T. Urban Trust Bank will place their company headquarters at this site. Thomas also served as the point person in negotiations for Verde, a 480 unit mixed-income housing project with two 36-story towers located in uptown Downtown Orlando with an estimated investment value of $125 million.

A native of Albany, GA, Thomas and his wife Brenetta have three adult children and two grandchildren. He previously served for nine years as the President and CEO for Albany Tomorrow, Inc., a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, where he managed and administered the $200 million Albany Downtown Master Plan. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and in the past has been named in “Georgia Trend” magazine’s annual list of 100 Most Influential Georgians, and has received numerous other distinguished awards such as the Martin Luther King Celebration Leadership Award and the Leadership Albany Outstanding Alumni Award.

Davon Barbour, Assistant Director

Davon Barbour serves as the Assistant Director for the DDB/CRA. In this capacity he manages the day-to-day operations for the organizations. In addition to general administration Davon administers a portfolio that includes business recruitment efforts, marketing, policy development and economic programs. Of note, Davon spearheads Downtown Orlando's retail revitalization efforts.

Davon's Professional membership includes the Urban Land Institue, the International Downtown Association and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Naeem Coleman, Economic Development Coordinator

Naeem Coleman is the Economic Development Coordinator for the Downtown Development Board and the Community Redevelopment Agency. His primary focus with the DDB is research and business development. Mr. Coleman has been with the Downtown Development Board since November of 2004. In that short time, he has familiarized himself with many aspects in the Downtown area. Mr. Coleman is a member of NAIOP and is an active member of the chapter's Developing Leaders program. In his spare time, he enjoy's lifting weights, reading and sporting activities.

What Naeem likes best about Downtown are the options. He can catch a movie, grab a drink at a local dive or hit up a festival. Whatever you are into, you can find it Downtown.

Pat Dellacona, Financials

Pat Dellacona serves as Financial Administrator for the DDB and CRA. A veteran of the Downtown Orlando team, Pat brings extensive knowledge and expertise in implementing the many programs and projects that are made possible by the Tax Increment Revenue district. In addition to her financial management responsibilities, Pat plays a lead role in the development and implementation of policies that impact Downtown's growth. She also reviews all 18A Special Event Permit applications.

Dorean Ervin, Recording Secretary

Dorean Ervin serves as the for the Downtown Development Board and Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board. The thing Dorean most enjoys about Downtown Orlando is that it is a "new" Downtown that is experiencing growth and change that she has a chance to be a part of. The excitement that comes with seeing these projects/programs in action is fulfilling.

Lakisha Hull, Downtown Review Committee (DRC) Coordinator

Lakisha Hull is the Downtown Review Committee (DRC) Coordinator and a Planner in the City Planning Division’s Land Development Studio. Lakisha has over 12 years of experience in architecture, planning and redevelopment projects. Lakisha conducts design review for downtown projects and in special plan areas located throughout the city of Orlando. Also, she provides design recommendations and technical assistance to advisory boards and various city departments.

Lakisha is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and is a LEED Accredited Professional. She is involved in various professional organizations, such as, the American Planning Association, the American Institute of Architects, and the National Organization of Minority Architects.

Bob Fish, Downtown Facilities Supervisor

Bob Fish serves as the Downtown Facilities Supervisor for the Downtown Clean Team. The Downtown Clean Team was first created and continues to be shaped by the necessity to provide the City of Orlando controlled, cost effective, Public Right of Way Maintenance at a level of the highest standards for businesses and residents of Downtown.

As part of its regular services, the Downtown Clean Team provides the following to Downtown Orlando: Daily trash pickup of 300 trash cans, hardscape/landscape maintenance for all CRA Streetscape Improvements (which include 153 individual, streetscaped blocks Downtown), sidewalk pressure washing, graffiti removal, painting and cleaning of the right of way furnishings and banner and flag maintenance.

The thing that Bob most enjoys about his work is that the work he is doing today will benefit the users of the area for years to come.

Rose Garlick, Downtown Business coordinator

Having served as the Downtown Orlando Ambassador Manager, Rose Garlick continues her important role of strengthening Downtown’s retail climate in the role of Downtown Business Coordinator. In this new capacity, Rose is responsible for ongoing outreach to Downtown businesses. This outreach includes facilitating business assistance, new business welcomes, and other aide. Additionally, Rose serves as a liaison between the Downtown Development Board, Orlando Police Department, Community Redevelopment Agency and the Downtown Ambassador Advisory Board.

Walter Hawkins, Director of Urban Development

Mr. Hawkins serves as the Director of Urban Development for the Community Redevelopment Agency. He is responsible for overseeing the revitalization of the Parramore District; his duties include: coordinating and implementing the Mayor’s Parramore Task Force, formulating recommendations and initiatives, providing leadership in the development of strategies to promote homeownership, reduce crime, code enforcement compliance, and business growth and retention. Mr. Hawkins is also responsible for communicating and advising the Mayor’s Office, Executive Management, Economic Development Department and the business community on the priorities of the City of Orlando for the Parramore District.

The best thing about Downtown for Walter is the wonderful diversity of people. All walks of people now work, shop, visit, play and live in our Downtown.

Char Midkiff, Downtown Orlando Information Center Coordinator

Char Midkiff manages the Downtown Orlando Information Center located at 201 S. Orange Avenue. Char, along with the friendly Volunteer Information Providers at the Center (VIPs), give answers to our guests about Downtown events, attractions, venues, dining, accommodations, parking, businesses, transportation and more.

Char’s favorite thing to do in Downtown Orlando is to share the Downtown tour experience with guests. Interested in learning more about Downtown? Schedule a tour with Char today! She would be happy to discuss any of these opportunities with you so if interested please contact her at Char.Midkiff@downtownorlando.com or 407.246.3753.

Amber Mundinger, Marketing and Special Events Coordinator

Amber serves as the Marketing and Special Events Coordinator for the Downtown Development Board. Her focus is on the development, implementation and management of marketing and promotion programs for the DDB/CRA. Amber also manages and coordinates special events and administers special events budgets to maximize events held throughout Downtown. She is a key advisor in raising the brand awareness of Downtown Orlando.

Amber's favorite thing about Downtown Orlando is the people. No matter what event you are attending, what street you walk on or who you sit next to on the Lymmo the people are always friendly, interesting and passionate.

Traci Parker, Administrative Specialist

Traci is currently the Administrative Specialist for the Downtown Development Board & Community Redevelopment Agency and supports the DDB/CRA Executive Director. Traci loves the fact that Downtown is a growing, vibrant city. In her spare time, Traci enjoys spending time with her daughter and working in the yard.

Anne M. Trinidad

Anne has been with the City of Orlando since December 2007. Originally from New Jersey, Orlando has been Anne's home for the past 20 years. Anne is Staff Assistant for the DDB-CRA and provides day-to-day administrative support for the DDB Assistant Director and is the Recording Secretary for the Development Review Committee (DRC).

In her spare time Anne enjoys spending quality time with her family, enjoys reading and relaxing at the beach.

Kevin Tyjeski, City Planning Division’s Chief Planning Manager

Kevin Tyjeski is the City Planning Division’s Chief Planning Manager. He joined the City of Orlando in 1995 as a Chief Planner in the Growth Management Division. Prior to joining the City, Kevin worked as a planning consultant and city planner in Wisconsin and in Florida. Kevin is currently responsible for coordinating the Baldwin Park Town Design Review Committee and the City of Orlando’s Local Government Comprehensive Planning Certification Program. He also provides managerial and technical direction on a wide variety of planning activities within the Comprehensive Planning, Land Development, Community Planning and Urban Design Studios.

He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and a LEED Accredited Professional. Kevin is also an Adjunct Professor at Rollins College, where he has taught urbanization, urbanism and traditional town planning since 2002. Kevin's favorite thing about Downtown is the face of the City. It’s where we assemble, make public statements, interact, react and enjoy being around people we don't even know. It belongs to everybody. "The city creates drama; the suburbs lack it." -- Luis Mumford (1937).