Shaun Drinkard Joins St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership to Lead Downtown Improvement Efforts

The St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership is proud to announce that Shaun Drinkard, LPM, has joined the nonprofit organization to help lead the development of a clean and safe urban management program.  He will serve as the organization’s vice president.

Drinkard brings nearly two decades of experience in urban place management, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Public Programming and Operations at the Tampa Downtown Partnership, where he played a pivotal role in shaping and managing Tampa’s successful Special Services District. His leadership helped grow a nationally recognized clean and safe program, signature public space initiatives, and advanced inclusive strategies to support vibrant downtown environments.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Shaun to St. Petersburg,” said Jason Mathis, CEO of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership. “His proven ability to operate an improvement district is exactly what we need at this moment in downtown’s history. Shaun’s work ethic, professionalism, and ability to align public and private priorities will enhance our dynamic and welcoming urban core.”

In his new role, Drinkard will oversee the planning and implementation of the St. Petersburg Downtown Improvement District, lead stakeholder engagement, and coordinate capital improvements and programming efforts in key public spaces like Williams Park and Central Ave. He will also support broader Partnership initiatives that enhance economic vitality and elevate the downtown experience for residents, businesses, and visitors.

“Our downtown industry continues to evolve, uniting proven place management fundamentals with visionary place leadership.  It’s exciting to see the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership expanding its’ role in shaping a great city and tapping into Shaun’s deep expertise to make it happen,” said David Downey, CEO of the International Downtown Association.

“I’m excited to join such a forward-thinking team and contribute to the momentum already building in downtown St. Pete,” said Drinkard. “Improvement districts are powerful tools when paired with strong community vision, and I’m honored to help write the next chapter for this incredible city that my family has called home for 20 years.”