Renee Shepard, who for a decade has lead the Downtown Lexington Corporation, will leave her position as president and executive director in September, Shepard and the advocacy agency’s board announced Tuesday morning.
“I am honored to have been a small part of the incredible change downtown Lexington has experienced over the last 10 years,” Shepard said. “Having a healthy, vibrant downtown is so important to our community, and downtown is a major economic driver for our city.”
Temple Juett, the DLC’s board president, praised Shepard for her work and said a search for her replacement would begin soon.
“The board is thankful for Renee’s leadership over the past 10 years as DLC has continued to grow and make a positive impact on downtown Lexington,” Juett said in a statement. “Under Renee’s leadership DLC’s budget tripled, the Downtown Lexington Management District was established and DLC was recognized as a driving force behind the positive changes in downtown Lexington. We wish Renee the best in the next phase of her career.”
Shepard said she was proud of helping to grow Lexington’s appreciation for intersection of arts and commerce.
“The popularity and growth of Thursday Night Live is probably the one thing that makes me the proudest,” she said. “To see so many people from all different walks of life come together each week and enjoy the same event is something really special.”
Juett gave no timetable for replacing Shepard.
“The Executive Committee will immediately begin working on the appointment of an interim director who will serve while the search for a permanent replacement is conducted,” he said.
Shepard said her decision was driven in part by her plans to start a consulting firm. Shepard said she and partner Virginia Graves, who worked for former Gov. Steve Beshear, are launching Graves Shepard Consulting.
Shepard said the Lexington-based firm will focus on nonprofits, government relations, grant writing, special events, downtowns and public relations.