Downtown Greensboro Inc. CEO Zack Matheny to Step Down After 11 Years

Zack Matheny announced Friday, March 13 that he will step down as president and CEO of Downtown Greensboro Inc., ending an 11-year run at the helm of the nonprofit that serves as the primary advocate and organizer for the city's urban core.

DGI Vice President Rob Overman will take over as interim executive director while the organization forms a search committee to find Matheny's permanent replacement. Details about the search process and timeline are expected in the coming weeks, according to the organization.

"It has been an extraordinary honor to serve this organization and the city for the past 11 years and I look forward to pursuing new opportunities," Matheny said in the announcement. "Together, we have worked to shape Downtown Greensboro into a vibrant, inclusive and welcoming environment. These achievements were made possible by current and past staff who are passionate about downtown, a visionary Board of Directors and critical partners committed to its vitality."

Matheny said he intends to remain involved through the transition. "I am confident the organization is well-positioned for continued success and I look forward to supporting the Board and DGI team as they begin the next chapter," he added.

DGI Board Chair Stu Nichols credited Matheny with steering the organization through more than a decade of change. "For more than a decade, Zack has been a passionate advocate for our downtown and has helped guide the organization through periods of growth, challenge, and opportunity," Nichols said. "As we enter a new era, the Board is committed to a thoughtful and inclusive leadership transition that builds on Zack's legacy while positioning Downtown Greensboro for continued impact."

Matheny took the DGI post in 2015 after stepping down from a District 3 seat on the Greensboro City Council, which he had held since 2007. He cited a desire to avoid any perceived conflict of interest, given that DGI receives city funding. During his DGI tenure, the nonprofit expanded its programs and increased its role in organizing major downtown events and initiatives. Just nine days before his resignation announcement, Matheny appeared at the State of Downtown event on March 4, where he told attendees that a new apartment complex is planned for the site of the Davie Street Parking Deck, which is slated for demolition.

His departure comes months after a loss at the polls. Matheny had returned to elected office by winning the District 3 council seat again in 2022, a move that drew criticism given his earlier conflict-of-interest rationale for leaving. He lost that seat to April Parker in 2025, and his resignation from DGI follows that defeat by only a few months.

In 2014, Matheny had also sought higher office, running in the Republican primary for North Carolina's Sixth Congressional District to replace retiring Rep. Howard Coble, but he did not advance past the primary.

The City of Greensboro issued a statement clarifying it played no role in Matheny's departure. "While the City Manager serves as an ex-officio member of the organization's board, the position is a non-governing role intended to facilitate communication between organizations and does not include participation in personnel decisions," the city said.

With Overman stepping into the interim role, DGI now faces the task of finding a leader to carry forward the development agenda Matheny shaped over more than a decade in one of North Carolina's most active urban revival efforts.