business

Talking With Matt Klein

The Downtowner

November 2008

The Downtown Business Improvement District has been in the forefront of all the BIDs in the city this past decade. Having the most revenue helps, but it is the people who run the Downtown BID that have been consistently top-notch, dedicated businessmen and women that have guided our downtown into the most diverse, competitive and premiere destination for shopping, dining and culture. People like Matt Klein, president of Akridge (601 13th Street), who has just assumed his second term as chairman of the Downtown BID Board of Directors.

Matt Klein is continuing to shepherd the Downtown BID to an exceptional level of success. Under his leadership, the BID made significant gains toward improving Downtown parks and public spaces, implementing transportation innovations, seeking housing solutions for the homeless population and making Downtown more environmentally sustainable this past year. “I stayed on for another term so that I continue working to achieve these goals,” Matt told The Downtowner. “Downtown DC is now truly our local center of commerce, culture, and is quickly becoming THE place to go shopping. I want to see that Downtown’s success continues,” he continued.

Indeed, Matt Klein has a very unique and clear understanding of Downtown’s relationship to the city’s economy and vibrancy. He’s the right man for the job, bringing a combined set of skills to his position that last year resulted in a level of organizational performance far beyond other BIDs around the city. Talking with Mr. Klein one realizes immediately he has excellent people skills in both his communication style and in displaying a warm, charming and approachable demeanor. He seems to have that ability to do the right thing for his organization, pursuing the success of his predecessors and taking it to a new level. It is a quality reflected throughout the Downtown BID organization, right down to the SAM (Safety and Maintenance) employees one meets on the street every day. They treat visitors, workers, shoppers with respect and have an underlying sense of pride in what they do. It is hard not to feel the positive nature of the Downtown BID when chatting with Matt Klein.

Mr. Klein obviously is one who believes in delegating both work and authority and he has a solid team behind him on the executive board, they have defined their specific objectives.

Bradley Edwards, general manager of the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel on 9th Street, Peter Johnston, senior vice president and regional manager of Boston Properties on 9th Street, and Jane Taylor, marketing v.p. for Washington Sports & Entertainment, are the guiding hands over the Downtown BID. Two new board members are Thor Headley, v.p. of Hines on 13th Street and Michael McCarthy, v.p. at Quadrangle Development Corp. Both began three-year terms that end in September 2011.

Matt Klein is continuing to shepherd the Downtown BID to an exceptional level of success. Klein, who joined Akridge in 1998 and is responsible for overseeing corporate planning, acquisition and development, asset management, project finance, lender/partner relations and the financial stewardship of the Akridge operating companies, has more than 20 years experience in the real estate industry.

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