Downtown Greensboro Incorporated Board of Directors

After failing to find different boards of directors for Action Greensboro, the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and the Greensboro Partnership I thought I'd take a look at some of the other non-profit organizations involved in the governmental and civic operations of Greensboro, North Carolina beginning with DGI, aka Downtown Greensboro Incorporated. From the DGI website:

"How is DGI funded?

The major funding source for the organization is a Municipal Service District or Business Improvement District (BID), that levies a special assessment on Downtown business and property owners to provide enhanced services and programs that benefit the ratepayers. This district was created by City Council in 2005 after a petition process demonstrated support by over 60% of the property owners. These funds are governed by state law and are intended to enhance, not replace, government funding to Downtown.

The City of Greensboro and Guilford County contributes to DGI through annual contracts for economic development and other services for the area. These contracts have specific, quantifiable outcomes that are targeted to growing the community's tax base. DGI also receives contributions from its Annual Fund Drive. Contributors include the Guilford Merchants Association, local foundations and dozens of individual supporters."

So we've established that DGI is taxpayer funded. With a name like Downtown Greensboro Incorporated, one would assume they have a board of directors just like any other corporation and the DGI website even shows they have a Chief Financial Officer whose name is Kate Phillips and a CEO who is said to be, Ed Wolverton. As it turns out their 2011 Annual Report does list a 33 member DGI Board of Directors but the current board isn't mentioned. You see, I know the current board isn't the same as last year's board because DGI board member and former Greensboro City Manager, Rashad Young skipped town a few months ago. So who is currently seated on the board at DGI?

No conspiracies here so I decided to do the usual searches. DowntownGreensboro.net is registered to an unknown entity. Why? I don't know. My search of the NC Secretary of State website tells me that DGI's registered agent is The Greensboro Area Chamber of Commerce but like other non profits DGI is not required to file annual reports and has never done so. Interesting note: If you go to this page and click on " THE GREENSBORO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INCORPORATED" you will be directed to this page And while you're on the second page, try clicking on "DOWNTOWN GREENSBORO INCORPORATED" and see where that takes you. As with most things involving the Greensboro Partnership, I have no clue as to what that means so you're free to speculate anything you wish.

Update: DGI's board can be found here.

Continue to page 9. synerG Board Of Directors.