Tony Moore is the first CEO of the Jax Riverfront Alliance. | Jax Riverfront Alliance
Published on October 29, 2026 at 1:29 pm
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Jax Riverfront Alliance, the nonprofit begun in 2022 to amplify public investment in Jacksonville’s riverfront, has its inaugural CEO.
Tony Moore joins the alliance as it begins a 10-year agreement with the city to complement the work of its parks department.
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The alliance works with the city and other public, private and community partners to enhance Jacksonville’s riverfront.
With more than three decades of experience in large-scale civic and park development and management, Moore comes to Jacksonville from the Trinity Park Conservancy in Dallas, where he was president and CEO.
In that position, he led the design, construction and operational development of the 250-acre Harold Simmons Park. Now he comes to the alliance as it enters a new phase of activating Jacksonville’s riverfront.
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“Jacksonville has something really special — a river that most cities would envy and a community that clearly cares deeply about getting this right,” Moore said in a news release about his appointment.
“Working with the City, our partners, and the community, we’ll build on the tremendous momentum already underway, helping operate and care for these incredible destination parks the City has built. We’ll help channel existing energy into a riverfront that becomes a beloved part of everyday life in this city, one that strengthens communities, enhances quality of life, and drives economic growth.”
Mayor Donna Deegan, who signed the city’s 10-year public/private agreement with the alliance in August, said she is delighted that its board of directors selected Moore after a nationwide search.
“We look forward to partnering with Tony and his talented team to continue the rapid growth we’re enjoying with Jacksonville’s dynamic new riverfront parks,” the mayor said. “These beautiful spaces are already drawing tens of thousands of visitors to our Downtown waterfront, and as (the Jax Riverfront Alliance) moves into its next phase, we only anticipate those numbers to grow, enhancing Downtown and the city as a whole.”
Beginning with the programming of Riverfront Plaza and Riverfront Music Garden, the alliance ultimately plans to steward a connected system of riverfront parks and pathways along both banks of the St. Johns River.
The alliance is responsible for year-round programming, activation, fundraising and enhanced maintenance. The city retains ownership of all parks and continues to lead capital improvements, infrastructure and security.
Moore’s career began with large-scale tourist attractions such as SeaWorld, Universal Studios and Zoo Tampa, the association said. He later moved into public urban park development and management, serving as founding CEO of Tulsa’s Gathering Place, leading its development and overseeing its operational planning, programming and community engagement.
David Sweeney, chair of the alliance’s board of directors, said Moore brings the combination of experience and expertise that it needs now. Moore has spent his career “taking big ideas and actually delivering on them,” Sweeney said.
“As we shift from standing up this organization to delivering on our riverfront vision, that track record is particularly important,” Sweeney said in the news release. “Tony will be a trusted leader for our team and a strong partner for the City of Jacksonville, our donors, and the broader community. We could not be more pleased to have him on board.”
Moore said he will focus in his first year on establishing the Jax Riverfront Alliance’s operational and programming standards, strengthening relationships across the public and private sectors, and deepening community engagement around the future of Jacksonville’s riverfront.
Linzee Ott had served as interim director since the organization’s founding.
