Posted on May - 13 - 2010
Center City Commission names Paul Morris as its next president, CEO
Homegrown ties and passion for Downtown trumped comparable experience as the Center City Commission named Memphis lawyer Paul H. Morris as its next chief executive Friday.
The commission unanimously backed a search committee recommendation favoring Morris over downtown Orlando official Thomas R. Chatmon Jr. and CCC senior vice president Andy Kitsinger.
Morris’ familiarity with Memphis and connections in business and political circles gave him a narrow edge over Chatmon in a final vote, officials said.
Also significant was an endorsement by city Mayor A C Wharton, whom Morris served as a transition team member. The mayor said in a recommendation letter he seriously considered Morris for key appointments at City Hall but opted to keep him as a trusted outside adviser.
Morris, 36, a director and shareholder with the Martin Tate Morrow & Marston law firm, is expected to begin work June 1. CCC board chairwoman Jennifer Hagerman said starting pay will be $155,000 a year.
The search began in January and drew 89 applications from across the country. Outgoing president and CEO Jeff Sanford announced in December he would step down effective June 30 after 12 years at the helm of Downtown’s development agency.
Morris was a CCC board member for five years and Hagerman’s predecessor as chairman, from 2007-2009. He resigned from the board just before the search committee was formed.
The search committee initially split 4-3 for Morris. Committee member Lucy Shaw said age and experience were in Chatmon’s favor. He’s executive director of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board and Community Redevelopment Agency.
The third finalist, Kitsinger, is senior vice president of planning and development at the commission.
“I think Tom Chatmon brings experience and maturity to the job,” Shaw said. “I do think it will be an uphill battle for him because of the nature of Memphis and our history. I think he would get there and meet the challenge, but I think there would be some lost time.”
“I think there’s an edge in knowing Memphis, knowing the players, knowing the politics,” said Edith Kelly Green, a board and search committee member. “I think we would garner some positives with hometown leadership, and I’ve seen Paul’s work.”
Morris, son of local businessman Jack Morris and a Downtown resident since 2003, lives in South Bluffs with his wife, lawyer Mary Morris, and infant son.
“I’m excited,” Morris said. “I am a ready to get to work on making Memphis an even greater place to live.”
He acknowledged going from private law practice to head of the public agency will bring a pay cut. “The chance to perfectly match my passion with my career is the reason I applied for the job.”
–Wayne Risher: 529-2874
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