Jennifer Hewett-Apperson has been director of district services at Downtown Vision Inc. for almost a month and she’s glad to be back Downtown.
The Jacksonville native graduated from the University of Florida and Florida State University, where she received a master’s degree in urban and regional planning.
She worked for the City Planning and Development Department from 1999-2005, then transitioned to the private sector at Prosser Hallock Inc. before joining the Northeast Florida Regional Council.
“After I left the Planning and Development Department, I found that I really missed working Downtown. I really missed the vibrancy and the everyday hustle and bustle,” she said.
Hewett-Apperson said as director of district services, she oversees the Downtown Ambassador program on a daily basis.
“They are the hardest-working folks Downtown, I think. They do a great job,” she said.
Hewett-Apperson also assists Downtown stakeholders who have questions or issues concerning maintenance of public property.
“It’s directing people to information – for example, things that would be on our website (downtownjacksonville.org). We do a lot of facilitation and partnering,” she said.
“I want to be part of the community that continues to breathe life into Downtown. I grew up in Jacksonville. I remember coming Downtown to go shopping with my grandmother at Ivey’s and May Cohens and Furchgott’s. I feel a sense of ownership having grown up here,” Hewett-Apperson said.
Leaving her career in planning for a job in advocacy was a good move, she said.
“I’m having the most fun I think I’ve ever had in any job. It’s a great group of people to work with and I really believe in the mission of this organization.”
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