Vince Frye moved into the DTI offices this week as the new President and Chief Executive Officer.

"I believe Vince will be a great asset to DTI," said Debra Clayton, chair of DTI board of directors. "He's committed to downtown, has served as a board chair of DTI and is well known within the community. He's familiar with

the issues unique to downtown and will be a strong collaborator and advocate for downtown. We're looking forward to his leadership."

Vince has extensive experience in advertising and promotion and a long record of service to the community. He was a member of the first class in Leadership Greater Topeka, a program that targets current and future leaders and provides training and opportunities to learn and hone their skills. LGT is sponsored by the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce.

After working in sales and then as general sales manager at WIBW-TV, Vince joined his wife as a partner in FryeAllen, an advertising agency. The agency was involved in many projects that helped build and promote Topeka, including designing campaigns for fundraisers for the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Curtis Office Building and Great Overland Station and for ballot issues to implement sales taxes for economic development and roads and bridges.

"I am very honored to have been selected to be President and CEO of Downtown Topeka, Inc.," Vince said. "This is a great time to be involved in DTI. I look forward to working with the many outstanding merchants and businesses that have made their commitment by choosing to locate in downtown. I am eager to hear input on the future of downtown."

Vince is chairman of the Topeka & Shawnee County Sports Hall of Fame; vice president of Arts Connect; a board member for the Topeka and Shawnee County Sports Council, Junior Achievement, Sunflower State Games, and Housing and Credit Counseling Inc.; and a member of the Business Hall of Fame Selection Committee and Sales and Marketing Professionals.

Vince was chosen from a large pool of candidates from across the nation.

"We are very excited to have Vince join us," said Mark Kossler, chair of the DTI search committee. "Our committee reviewed over 30 applicants, narrowing the list as we ranked the candidates on a number of qualities, including education; managerial, entrepreneurial and downtown experience; communication skills; creativity; and volunteer recruitment.

"Vince quickly became one of our finalists. After a series of interviews with the top candidates, Vince was the unanimous recommendation from the committee to the full DTI board, which voted similarly to extend an offer to Vince," Mark said. "I look forward to working with Vince."

Vince is eager to keep DTI and Downtown moving forward.

"This is an opportunity for all of us to revitalize and re-energize," Vince said. "I will work hard to do whatever I can to help make downtown a place of great pride for all of us.