The Staunton Downtown Development Association has named a new executive director, Darren Smith, the founder and CEO of Traipse Public Benefit Corporation, the developer of the Traipse smartphone app and other tools for local businesses.
Smith will be the third executive director at the SDDA this year. Greg Beam stepped down after a four-year tenure in January to take a new job as assistant town manager in Mount Jackson, and David Greiner was only on the job for a few weeks in June before resigning, citing personal family reasons.
“I am delighted to have Darren join the SDDA as our new executive director. He brings decades of experience and has a proven history championing downtown districts. He will help propel Staunton forward,” said Jessica Godsie Sawyers, the SDDA Board of Directors president.
Smith has worked as a transportation planner and outreach coordinator for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, a livable communities policy expert for the National Association of Realtors and a technical assistance professional at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
He has served on expert panels for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Scenic Byways Program, the EPA’s Smart Growth Achievement Awards, the HUD’s Location Affordability Index and the American Institute of Architects’ Sustainable Development Assistance Program.
Smith, a native of Lawrence, Kan., has a master’s degree in urban affairs and planning from Virginia Tech, and a bachelor’s in communications, legal institutions, economics and government from American University.
Smith and his partner, Jessica Luck, live in the Sears Hill neighborhood of Staunton, with Henry the “SDDA” (Staunton Downtown Dog Ambassador), and cats Shamrock and Rue.
“I’m passionate about historic downtowns, especially Downtown Staunton, which I have come to love and chosen to make my home,” Smith said. “While Downtown Staunton is already a special place, I believe there is untapped potential to fulfill a wider range of community needs and make it even more of a national model.”
The SDDA will host a meet-and-greet event with Smith on Thursday, Aug. 29 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Yelping Dog Wine, located at 9 E. Beverley St. in Downtown Staunton.
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Chris Graham
