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
Joseph Williams
Alabama Department of Transportation