Davon Barbour to lead DAA

The Downtown Austin Alliance has named Davon Barbour as its new president and CEO. Barbour comes to Austin via New Orleans, where he has served as president and CEO of the city’s downtown development district. According to a press release from DAA, Barbour plans to focus on “key opportunities like transformative mobility and infrastructure projects while addressing pressing challenges, including affordability, office vacancy rates and safety concerns. Barbour will also serve as the primary advocate for downtown’s stewardship and promotion, representing the interests of the Downtown Austin Alliance’s members and stakeholders.” In a statement to the press, he said, “I am thrilled to plant roots and call the City of Austin my home, a community well regarded for its culture of inclusiveness, innovation and creativity. … The next few years represent a significant amount of investment from both the public and private sectors. Harnessing this momentum to benefit all Austinites, while carefully managing growth is paramount.” Barbour’s first official day in the role will be Feb. 20.