The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors has appointed Bruce Lewis as its new chairman. Lewis served as vice-chair for three years and has been on the organization’s board of directors for six years. He succeeds former chairman Roy Assad, who is stepping down in order to serve in the same role at the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Lewis is the founder, president and CEO of LB Limited & Associates, Inc. Strategic Public Relations that offers strategic planning, new business development, financial structuring and special public relations/marketing initiatives for corporate clients. He has been a loyal advocate of Downtown West Palm Beach for decades and will continue to foster the success and quality environment for both business owners and residents of the Downtown District.
“What would Palm Beach County be without Downtown West Palm Beach? It’s the heart of this county and provides a gathering place for thousands of people in the community,” Lewis said. “I want to make a significant, positive impact by shaping the Downtown District into what it needs to be – the most desirable Downtown in Florida to work, play, visit and conduct business. The DDA has made great strides recently in overcoming obstacles to that goal. We will continue to move forward with strong programs and services that help us get there.”
Lewis said he is taking over at a time when the DDA is aggressive and assertive in its initiatives and wants the economic momentum in the Downtown District to continue during his tenure. Some of his key priorities include broadening programs to include more above-ground floor businesses, which provide a variety of professional services that benefit Downtown’s merchants and residents; retooling and readjusting loan and grant programs for retail businesses to keep the storefronts filled; and preparing for government tax cuts by putting together a plan that will find new funds to replace diminishing ones.
Prior to his work at LB Limited & Associates, Inc., Lewis worked as a senior chemical engineer for Fortune 500 corporations including Honeywell, Digital Equipment Corporation, Intel, RCA and General Electric. He earned his bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota, where he specialized in chemical design engineering.
Created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature, the DDA has evolved over the years into a vital organization responsible for shaping the look and feel of the Downtown District, and helping its businesses to grow and prosper. Legally mandated to attract, retain and market a distinctive mix of retail, dining, office, entertainment and cultural venues within its taxing district, the DDA also leads a coordinated plan to address and improve economic development, public services, safety and the overall quality of life Downtown.
For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit www.westpalmbeachdda.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873
