By Janet Steele Holloway
Contributing writer
Renee Jackson interacts with a multitude of agencies - public, private and governmental - in her role as president/executive director of the Downtown Lexington Corporation (DLC), and she loves the diversity of challenges this brings. The DLC has a large mission: promoting downtown Lexington as a unique and vibrant place to live, work and play; ensuring that Lexington is a competitively attractive city for the next generation of intellectual talent; acting as a conduit for information sharing in Fayette County and the surrounding counties; promoting and supporting the arts; providing a forum for downtown merchants and business owners to voice their concerns; advocating for affordable housing; and more.
How does Jackson handle these substantial issues?
"I'd count leadership-by-doing as a high priority for me," she said. "One thing may be at the top of the agenda today, and it's second or third tomorrow. I try not to drop the ball, and I won't ask others to do what I won't do."
She credits the support of member organizations as an important part of the process.
Her own career background has prepared her for the variety of tasks she encounters. Her first job after graduating with a B.A. in landscape design from UK was with LFUCG's Parks and Recreation Department. After that, she worked as a mortgage loan originator, then regional manager for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and from 2001 to 2006 as executive director for the recently closed Manchester Center.
Jackson identifies former Lexington vice-mayor Isabel Yates as one who has influenced her strongly.
"I met Isabel when I started working for the National MS Society in 2000, and she has remained a constant confidante ever since. She has opened many doors for me throughout the years, and I know I can always count on her. I admire her public service, her knowledge and her ability to persuade others to get behind various projects. I want to be like her when I grow up," she said with a smile.
Admitting that she's the kind of person who wants things to get done yesterday, Jackson said she's had to learn patience. She decompresses by playing Bubble Pop on her iPhone and is certain she could be a contender in a Bubble Pop championship. She also sleeps very little and uses her iPhone in the middle of the night to play games or check Facebook.