Downtown Rochester Group Seeks New CEO

Rochester Downtown Development Corporation is running a national search for its next president and chief executive officer, with applications due November 25.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Remote Work

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of plain brick downtown blocks around an empty stepped plaza beneath a civic pavilion roof. — Rochester Downtown Development Corporation is running a national search for its next president and CEO, with applications due November 25. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Rochester Downtown Development Corporation is conducting a national search for a president and chief executive officer. The Chason Group is handling the search, and applications are due November 25, with an anticipated start in early 2027.

Why it matters

The organization works on business and investment attraction, entrepreneurship, advocacy and public-space activation in downtown Rochester, so its leadership shapes how the downtown area is promoted and developed. The next executive is expected to turn the group's strategic direction into a three-year work plan.

The posting sets a November 25 application deadline and lists three priorities for the role: telling downtown's story, activating downtown, and improving safety, livability and economic vitality. The source does not say how many candidates have applied or when finalists will be named.

The players

Rochester Downtown Development Corporation

A nonprofit founded in 1977 that works on business attraction, entrepreneurship, advocacy and public-space activation in downtown Rochester.

The Chason Group

The executive search firm handling the national search for the organization's next president and chief executive officer.

Victoria Van Voorhis

Board Chair of Rochester Downtown Development Corporation, overseeing the organization's leadership search.

The details

Candidates submit a resume and cover letter through The Chason Group's application form. Questions may be directed to James McCoy, vice president of The Chason Group, at jmccoy@thechasongroup.com or 770-842-4774.

Applications for the president and chief executive officer position are due November 25, 2026.
The anticipated start date for the new executive is early 2027.

Market Landscape

The Rochester Downtown Development Corporation operates alongside The Partnership for Downtown Rochester, a separate nonprofit supporting public-private revitalization. Its affiliated food business incubator, The Commissary, adds a shared-kitchen resource to the downtown economic development effort.

Interested candidates must submit a resume and cover letter through The Chason Group's application form by November 25. Residents and businesses in downtown Rochester may see the organization's priorities shift as the new executive builds a three-year work plan.

The takeaway

Downtown leadership searches often signal new priorities for public spaces and local business support. Anyone interested in the role should review the three stated priorities before applying.