Zack Matheny is stepping down as president and CEO of the non–profit Downtown Greensboro, Inc. after more than a decade leading the organization, according to a late Friday press release.
“It has been an extraordinary honor to serve this organization and the city for the past 11 years and I look forward to pursuing new opportunities,” Mathey said in the statement.
The announcement comes after Matheny lost his bid for re-election to his District 3 seat on the Greensboro City Council to first-time candidate April Parker last November. The loss capped a difficult year for Matheny; the State Bureau of Investigation confirmed it was investigating an unnamed council member widely believed to be Matheny. That investigation is ongoing, the SBI confirmed Friday, but no new information was available.
Matheny has for years faced accusations of conflict of interest as he ran both the nonprofit—which works to promote the city’s downtown—and held a seat on the city council, which provides funding to DGI.
In 2015, Matheny announced he was stepping down from his council seat to lead the non-profit. At the time, he said he wanted to avoid any perceived conflict of interest. But Matheny decided to run for council again, winning the District 3 seat in 2022—a reversal that prompted criticism.
More recently, Matheny and DGI have come under fire after a series of restaurants—including some of the oldest in downtown—announced they are closing. Though not dissimilar from recent restaurant closures in urban centers across the state and nation, the cluster of announcements reignited debate over downtown revitalization and DGI’s role.
Matheny could not be reached for comment Friday, but he spoke to his time with DGI and its future in Friday’s release.
“Together, we have worked to shape Downtown Greensboro into a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming environment,” Matheny said. “I am confident the organization is well-positioned for continued success, and I look forward to supporting the Board and DGI team as they begin the next chapter.”
DGI’s release highlighted Matheny’s accomplishments, including downtown recovery and reactivation efforts during and after the pandemic, which raised more than $449,375 from 73 corporate donors and 106 individuals to support restaurants and retail. It also highlighted the creation of the Downtown Ambassador and Street Outreach team, and expanding DGI’s role in downtown events like Fun Fourth and the Festival of Lights.
“For more than a decade, Zack has been a passionate advocate for our downtown and has helped guide the organization through periods of growth, challenge, and opportunity,” said DGI Board Chair Stu Nichols in Friday’s release. “As we enter a new era, the Board is committed to a thoughtful and inclusive leadership transition that builds on Zack’s legacy while positioning Downtown Greensboro for continued impact.”
DGI Vice President Rob Overman will serve as interim executive director, and the non-profit plans to announce details of a search committee in the next few weeks.
The City of Greensboro had no comment on Matheny’s departure. Though City Manager Nathaniel “Trey” Davis is an ex-officio member of DGI’s board, the city emphasized in its own Friday press release that he serves in a non-voting capacity.
Eric Robert, a former DGI member and one of Matheny’s most outspoken critics, said he is interested to see where the non-profit goes from here.
“My criticisms have always been about accountability, transparency, and inclusivity,” Robert said. “Ensuring that downtown is being built in a way that truly serves the whole community. Leadership changes alone don’t resolve those issues … What matters now is whether the organization is willing to evolve, raise its standards, and become more responsive to the people who invest in and sustain downtown every day.”
