The Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) is ushering in a new era.

On Wednesday, the DMC board announced the successor for mayor-elect Paul Young. Chandell Ryan, the city's chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO in mid January.

The announcement comes a little under a week after the board provided an update on the selection process.

The DMC president and CEO oversees the organization's $12 million budget along with the numerous affiliate boards under the DMC umbrella including: the Design Review Board, Downtown Mobility Authority, Center City Development Corp. and Center City Revenue Finance Corp. The latter two boards help provide development incentives including development loans and payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT).

Ryan was unanimously approved for the post.

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"We reviewed over 20 applicants, both local and out of market, and Chandell was an obvious standout,” said Benjamin Orgel, DMC board president, in a news release. “Her background is perfectly tailored for the role, and her energy, intelligence, and heart for Downtown make her the ideal choice.”

Ryan has served as the city's chief operating officer since 2022. She said she has lived in Downtown the last several years and seen the positive changes happening and is excited to be part of that journey in a larger capacity.

"As a downtowner myself, I can’t wait to be on the team tasked with making our core city as economically strong, vibrant and welcoming as it can be," she said.

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Ryan is expected to take over in mid January. In the interim, recently appointed DMC chief operating officer Brett Roler and chief financial officer, Penelope Spring, will help oversee the transitional period, said Penelope Huston, DMC vice president of marketing and communications.

Once onboard, Ryan said her first order of business will be collaborating with the existing team to better understand the project pipeline and what needs to be done both short-term and long-term. She also said infill and space activation Downtown will remain a priority.

Young's tenure as the DMC's leader began in March 2021 (he succeeded Jennifer Oswalt). During his time as president and CEO, the DMC helped finance several notable projects including the 100 N. Main redevelopment and the $40 million Downtown Mobility Center. The organization also restructured its PILOT incentive program in July 2023, focusing on the PILOT term lengths and affordable housing.

Young will begin his term as mayor on Jan. 1. During Wednesday's meeting Young praised the DMC staff, its experience and the momentum the organization has created during his tenure.

"Downtown directly drives the economy of the Mid-South region," he said.

Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X: @neilStrebig

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Chandell Ryan named new Downtown Memphis Commission president