Current CEO, Mark Richard, has accepted leadership position with USL

On January 5, 2022, the Executive Board of the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) announced it will launch a national CEO search to replace current President & CEO, Mark Richard. Richard, who has served as the leader for DSP for nine years, has accepted an executive position as the Vice President of Expansion and Real Estate for the United Soccer League (USL) and will relocate to Tampa, Florida.

Chris Batten, Interim Board Chair, commented, “On behalf of the board of directors, I want to thank Mark Richard for his outstanding leadership. Mark’s efforts over the past nine years have helped the organization thrive and accomplish some big things. He’s helped to support efforts around making downtown Spokane a great destination as well as overseeing important services that support Business Improvement District (BID) ratepayers and add to the vitality of our downtown core. We wish him all the best in his new endeavor.”

Richard will stay on at the DSP through mid-February, ensuring a smooth transition. He reflected on his time with the DSP, “I feel so fortunate to have been able to serve Spokane as well as the board members, staff and our most valued customers at the DSP. We have seen the setback typical of urban centers during the pandemic, but we have accomplished so much and seen downtown come alive with new cultural offerings, businesses and sustained growth in demand for downtown living.  I was born and raised in Spokane, so the opportunity to support the city has been especially meaningful.”