https://www.siliconvalley.com/2022/03/15/what-the-san-jose-downtown-association-needs-in-its-new-leader/ > San Jose Downtown Association Executive Director Scott Knies’ departure in November after 34 years has been in the works for a few years, but the reality is finally hitting as the business advocacy group has launched an official search for his successor. > The Downtown Association was started in 1986 essentially as a emergency rescue group to keep businesses from dying while the light-rail transit mall and other projects like the Fairmont Hotel, the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and the Pavilion Shops were creating construction nightmares. After Knies was hired in 1988, the Downtown Association also became a promoter, using events like Music in the Park, Downtown Ice, the Dine Downtown restaurant week and the al fresco Starlight Cinemas movie series — to name just a few — to bring residents to the city’s center. And you could go on for days about the initiatives the Downtown Association started to beautify downtown and encourage small businesses.