Skip to main content

Leadership

As the director of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, Kelly Thomas is involved in nearly every aspect of the planning, promotion and funding of downtown redevelopment projects.

After serving as a member of the board, Kelly Thomas was appointed director of the Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority in January 2022. Thomas, along with the authority’s board members, is charged with implementing the Forward Decatur Plan and providing continuity for downtown projects through changing administrations. She is a liaison between city and county offices, an advocate of downtown Decatur to state and federal elected officials, and a promoter of the area to potential developers.

In support of existing businesses located in the downtown area, Thomas will work closely with Alabama’s Main Street organization, downtown property owners, and merchants. She brings together local citizens, corporations, and business owners, encouraging them to become active partners in the redevelopment and promotion of downtown Decatur.

Thomas, a Decatur native, has been actively involved in the community since 2012, returning home after graduating from Louisiana Tech University. She has served as President of the Decatur-Morgan County Hospitality Association, Decatur Jaycees, and MOCO Meetup. Thomas previously worked in the hospitality industry as an area director of sales for Marriott, Hilton, and IHG hotel brands.

Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority
Board of Directors

Board Members

Greg Clemons

Bonnie Plants

Brian Cook

Cook Museum of Natural Science

John Godwin

Framework Architecture

John Joseph

Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center

Clint Murphy

MeritHouse Realty & Capital Management

Meg Newcomb

Mellow Mushroom

Jackson Parker

Parker Real Estate

Marley Schmid

Morgan County Economic Development Association

Joseph Williams

Alabama Department of Transportation