Executive Director

Brian B. Morris serves as the Executive Director for the Downtown Action Team, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown Albuquerque as the best mid-sized Downtown in the USA.  Brian joined the Downtown Action Team in December 2001.

Prior to joining the Downtown Action Team, Brian served as Communications Officer for the City of Albuquerque and as Press Secretary for Mayor Jim Baca.  His duties included oversight of media and public relations for the entire City government as well as handling media for the Mayor.  Brian served as a senior advisor to the Mayor and was Mayor Baca’s campaign manager in Bacas 2001 re-election bid. 

Prior to serving as Communications Officer, Brian also worked as Deputy Communications Officer and Assistant to the Mayor for Legislative Affairs.  In addition to working daily with the national and local print and electronic media, Brian oversaw the Mayors involvement in the 2000 Census and was the MayorҒs liaison to the State Highway and Transportation Department on the Big-I reconstruction project, the biggest highway department project in the states history.

Brian has served on several boards, currently as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for New Mexico AIDS Services and President of the Friends For the Public Library. He also sits on the board of the Albuquerque Art Business Association Board (ArtsCrawl), the New Mexico AIDS Services Friends for Life Steering Committee, the New Mexico AIDS Services Development and Marketing Committee and the Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau Conventions & Meetings Council. He previously served on the Advisory Panel for the New Mexico Arts & Crafts Fair and as Vice-Chair of the Teach and Learn Cable Educational Network Executive Board, the National Youth Sports Program Advisory Board, the Albuquerque International Sunport Noise Abatement Committee, the MayorҒs Quarter Cent Streets Task Force and the City of Albuquerque/State of New Mexico Public Art Project Planning Committee which was charged with overseeing cultural corridors project commemorating Route 66.

Prior to joining the Office of the Mayor in 1998, Brian served as campaign manager to several candidates, interned for the Legislative Council Service in Santa Fe and worked at the states largest newspaper, the Albuquerque Journal, for five years where he wrote stories and served as editor of the in-house newsletter.  Brian attended the University of New Mexico where he majored in Political Science and was active in student government and served two terms as president of the College Democrats.

Prior to serving as Executive Director, Brian served as the Vice President of the Downtown Action Team. As Executive Director of the organization, he oversees a near $1 million annual budget, 85 square blocks of properties within the Business Improvement District, the Hospitality and Clean Program and the Downtown 2010 Plan.

Brian works closely with a 21-member Board of Directors and leads the implementation of strategic action plans that include concise measurable goals and objectives in the Downtown area.

Brian is also responsible for the daily operations of the organization, including budgetary and financial management, administrative and staff activities and Business Improvement District administration management.

He plans and directs financial activities, policies, procedures and internal controls, as well as manages the accounting department and Human Resources/Personnel Department.

Brian also oversees DATs development, marketing and media efforts, including earned media, paid media, web site production and maintenance, Downtown promotional materials/projects and grant writing, corporate fundraising, membership sales and other fundraising activities.  Some of these projects include management of the 4th Street Mall Vendor and Entertainment Program, the Downtown Growers Market & Festival, Go! Downtown Arts Festival and other promotional events.