Downtown Greensboro Inc. Honors Key Leaders

"Downtown Greensboro Incorporated honored three leaders for their efforts to revitalize the center city at its Annual Report to the Community on October 22, 2015. Andy Zimmerman, owner of AZ Development, was given the The Jim Roach Downtown Person of the Year Award. The Jim Roach Downtown Person of the Year Award is presented annually to a local person who has had a major positive influence or impact on the center city over the past year. Zimmerman was selected for his creativity in the revitalization of properties in downtown, including the former Steel & Vaughn building, now home to Crafted: Art of the Street Food and Preyer Brewery and along Lewis Street, where HQ Greensboro, the Forge, and Gibbs are located.  Past winners include: Milton Kern, 2005; Roy Carroll, 2006; Betty Cone, 2007; John Lomax, 2008; Jim Melvin, 2009; Skip Alston and Earl Jones, 2010; Chris Lester, 2011; Chester Brown, 2012; Kathy Manning, 2013, and Jim Budd and Nick Piornack of Momentum Development Group, 2014. Bryan Toney, Associate Vice Chancellor of University of North Carolina at Greensboro, was presented with the Ed Kitchen Leadership Award. The Ed Kitchen Leadership Award is given to a local individual who through their leadership, vision and dedication has been a champion for downtown Greensboro. Toney was given this award for his efforts to expand UNCG’s campus to downtown through Union Square and the entrepreneurial spirit at HQ Greensboro. Toney was a key leader in the City being awarded the InnovateNC grant as well as the SC2 grant for the Global Opportunities Center. Past recipients of the Ed Kitchen Leadership Award include: Ed Kitchen, 2005; Mike Bumpass, 2006; Jimmy Black, 2007; Ray Gibbs, 2008; Susan Schwartz, 2009; Rich Whittington and Preston Lane, 2010; Trip Brown, 2011; Walker Sanders, 2012; George House, 2013; and Dawn Chaney, 2014. This year Downtown Greensboro Inc. presented a special honor to Betty Cone in recognition of her tremendous service and dedication to downtown Greensboro. Cone has served the greater downtown in many areas including leading the planning and management of the Fun Fourth Festival, Festival of Lights and her leadership within the Carolina Theatre. “Downtown revitalization is a true team effort that needs everyone’s help. Andy Zimmerman and Brian Toney stood out for their remarkable focus over the last year. Mrs. Cone has put forth so much for our downtown, has served as a mentor to many and a passionate leader throughout.  Our organization wanted to say a thank you for all she has done for Greensboro,” stated Zack Matheny, President of Downtown Greensboro Inc. About Downtown Greensboro Incorporated - Downtown Greensboro Incorporated (DGI) is an economic development organization focused on stimulating investment and activity in the center city. DGI’s primary focus is to lead the development of Downtown Greensboro as a prosperous and vibrant urban center, memorable and meaningful for those who choose to live, work, play and invest here." - A Press Release