David Roderique Bids Farewell to Downtown Phoenix Inc.

After eight years of service to the city and community of Downtown Phoenix, David Roderique transitioned out of his dual roles as Executive Vice President of Downtown Phoenix Inc. (DPI) and Executive Director of the Downtown Phoenix Partnership (DPP) on Monday.

Under Roderique’s leadership, the organization achieved many significant milestones including the creation of the Downtown Phoenix Streetscape Team, a widely successful events department and the introduction of social media marketing, which now has a following of more than 100,000 people.

“All these things have really ramped us up and turned us into a very powerful force,” he said.
Roderique served as President and CEO of DPP in 2013 when DPI was initially created, effectively bringing a number of smaller organizations like DPP, Phoenix Community Alliance and Downtown Phoenix Community Development Corporation under one umbrella.

This was the “ultimate transformation,” according to Roderique, and helped provide greater coordination and efficiency in serving the people and businesses of greater downtown.

During the past year, Roderique opened a new second-floor storefront for DPI at CityScape Phoenix, finally bringing all the affiliates and programs together under one roof. That includes the administrative offices, Ambassador Info Center and the DTPHX Engagement Lab.

Through his collaboration with the myriad City of Phoenix departments, business leaders, property owners and residents, Roderique contributed greatly to downtown’s revitalization efforts since 2008.

“We’re now seeing activation through events, nightlife, restaurants, sporting events, cultural events — you walk around at night and downtown is lively,” he said. “It’s so gratifying to see that kind of activity taking place.”

David Roderique (far left) looks over architectural diagrams of the new DPI office space with architects and planners. (Photo: Brandi Porter)

Roderique is beginning the next chapter in his career May 23 at Gruen, Gruen and Associates, which is a national firm specializing in market and real estate analysis, economic impact studies and urban development strategies.

Dan Klocke, vice president of economic development at DPI, will be stepping up as executive director following Roderique’s departure.

“Dan’s extremely capable, extremely smart — he gets downtown,” Roderique said of Klocke. “DPI is headed toward a tremendous amount of success.”