Jake Gordon, CEO of Jacksonville’s Downtown Vision Inc., will step down as of Sept. 30. | Downtown Vision Inc.
Published on July 7, 2026 at 1:34 pm
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The CEO of Jacksonville’s Downtown Vision Inc., the organization responsible for art walks, sip and strolls and other city events and promotions, has announced that he will step down as of Sept. 30.
Jake Gordon’s resignation is just the latest in a series of high-profile departures from independent and city-linked organizations in recent years, including the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Kids Hope Alliance, Downtown Investment Authority and Jacksonville Housing Authority.
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Gordon said he is concluding more than 11 years of leadership and felt it was time to step away so someone with a fresh perspective could lead the organization.
A statement from Downtown Vision said Gordon will continue to lead the organization through a structured transition to ensure that operations of the business improvement nonprofit continue uninterrupted.
“It has been a privilege to lead this organization through such a dynamic period of growth for Downtown Jacksonville,” Gordon said. “I am proud of all of our accomplishments. Now is the right time to allow for new leadership. I look forward to supporting DVI’s continued success helping Downtown. Jacksonville is home for my family, and I care deeply about this city and its continued momentum in Downtown.”
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Downtown Vision works on revitalizing the city through services, support, marketing, research, events and placemaking. It is funded primarily through a self-assessment of Downtown property owners. The organzation administers a 1.3-square-mile Business Improvement District.
Eric Miller, chief operating officer for Downtown Vision, will serve as interim CEO after Gordon’s departure. The board of directors approved the transition plan Thursday.
The board will announce details soon on the process for selecting Gordon’s permanent successor, Downtown Vision said.
“Jake’s vision and dedication over the past 11 years have been instrumental to Downtown Vision’s current level of success. He has elevated DVI to one of the premier impactful nonprofits supporting our community,” said Downtown Vision board chairperson Allan Iosue. “Because of his leadership, the organization is exceptionally well-positioned for the future. We respect Jake’s decision to seek new leadership for DVI’s next chapter, and we enter this transition with immense gratitude for his contributions and full confidence in our continued momentum.”
Gordon, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, has more than 20 years of expertise in urban revitalization, serving on many boards including the International Downtown Association, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and Urban Land Institute’s North Florida Advisory Board.
Before his appointment as chief operating officer in October 2024, he served over seven years as Downtown Vision’s vice president of district services and general counsel.
During his tenure, a number of community initiatives were launched like the DTJax Gala, DTJax Awards, the monthly Sip & Stroll event series and Jax River Jams concert series. He oversaw expansions to the existing orange-uniformed Downtown Ambassador Team, revamped the State of Downtown annual research report and led improvements to DowntownJacksonville.com to better serve audiences looking to visit, live, work or invest in Downtown.
The organization grew from an annual budget of $1.1 million in 2015 to almost $5 million in 2026, Downtown Vision officials said. He also spearheaded the organization’s 2024 move in 2024 to a new, $3 million headquarters on West Duval Street.
His resignation announcement came only five days after JTA CEO Nat Ford announced that he will depart the authority in January after 13 years there. The Kids Hope Alliance holds the next meeting of its CEO search committee on Thursday, after Saralyn Grass was fired in October over her role in a private consulting company.
Colin Tarbert was selected a year ago as the next CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority to replace Lori Boyer, who retired on June 30, 2025, after five years as CEO. And in August 2024, acting Jacksonville Housing Authority CEO Vanessa Dunn resigned. Cheron Corbett Waller replaced her in early 2025..
For more information, about Downtown Vision, go to DTJax.com/dvi.
