Title
To Honor, Recognize, and Celebrate the Retirement of Don L. Brown
Body
WHEREAS, Don L. Brown committed 50+ years to public service, leading Columbus and Franklin County in many capacities, beginning his career as the Franklin County Finance Director, serving nearly a decade as the Franklin County Administrator, and then as the Executive Director of FCCFA; and
Whereas, Mr. Brown has served actively, consistently, and faithfully as the Executive Director of the FCCFA for more than nine years, and has provided invaluable counsel and insight, especially with respect to the growth of the FCCFA campus and its impact on the Central Ohio tourism industry; and
Whereas, Mr. Brown led the FCCFA throughout the development and construction of the $140 million Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) expansion and renovation project, making it the largest, newest, and most technologically advanced convention center in Ohio and investing in the acquisition of the single largest collection of central Ohio art, and the largest art collection within any convention center in America; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brown spearheaded the development and construction of the Hilton Columbus Downtown expansion, resulting in a 468-room tower addition, netting Columbus its first 1,000-room convention hotel, and creating the largest hotel in Ohio; and
WHEREAS, under Mr. Brown’s leadership, the FCCFA has helped increase the number of city-wide conventions and sporting events hosted by the GCCC, stabilized the financing of Nationwide Arena, and enhanced Central Ohio’s competitiveness for convention visitors and tourism; and
Whereas, Mr. Brown leadership and vision have significantly contributed to Columbus’s emergence as a premier destination for national conventions and meetings, and his efforts have greatly impacted the local economy and improved the quality of life in the Columbus and Franklin County; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council honors and recognizes Don L. Brown for his lasting contributions to the City of Columbus and Franklin County and congratulates him on his well-deserved retirement.