The Downtown Investment Authority announced April 20 that Joshua Garrison and Joe Hassan have joined its board of directors.
Garrison is the co-owner and CEO of Miranda Contracting. He fills the unexpired term of Stephanie Burch, who left the DIA after joining Jacksonville Transportation Authority board last fall.
Garrison is a former president of the Northeast Florida Builders Association and previously served on the Jacksonville Planning Commission.
Hassan is a real estate developer and the owner of Ten-H Investments. He fills the position previously held by Ron Moody.
Hassan specializes in acquiring and refurbishing historic buildings, such as the Dyal-Upchurch Building and the Florida Title and Trust Building in Downtown Jacksonville. He is a former senior vice president of Scott Alarm and founded Certified Security Systems.
“With their decades of experience as business leaders and their deep connections to Jacksonville, they’re well-suited to keep the transformation of Downtown moving in the right direction,” DIA board Chair Carol Worsham said in a news release.
The DIA is governed by nine board members. Of the nine, five are appointed by the Jacksonville mayor and four by the City Council president. All are confirmed by Council. Terms are four years.
Garrison was appointed by Mayor Lenny Curry and Hassan was appointed by Council President Terrance Freeman.
Other members of the DIA board include Vice Chair Jim Citrano Jr., Craig Gibbs, Oliver Barakat, Braxton Gillam and George Saoud. One board member position is unfilled, a mayoral appointment.