When John Hinnant, outgoing president and CEO of Wilmington Downtown Inc., turns over the keys to his former office Friday evening, he’ll soon transition into the ranks of a well-established commercial brokerage firm in the area.

Officials with Maus, Warwick, Matthews & Company announced Tuesday that Hinnant will become its newest commercial broker, according to a news release.

Maus, Warwick, Matthews & Company enjoys a large tenant footprint downtown Wilmington – representing a number of property owners across the central business district, including the Self Help Building at the corner of Grace and Front streets, and many historic buildings along Princess and Market streets.

Citing his work with the nonprofit organization, appraisal background and familiarity with the local commercial real estate market, officials with the 26-year-old firm said Hinnant would be a good match for the brokerage firm, according to the news release.

“John is already up to speed on the intricacies of the local commercial real estate market and he knows the players,” said Hansen Matthews, a partner and principal broker of Maus Warwick Matthews & Company, in an emailed statement. “A career transition into commercial real estate brokerage can be a difficult one to make for many people, but John understands the commercial real estate market and we have a team of veteran brokers ready to assist him in making the switch. We’re excited to have him on board with our firm and we expect great things for him.”

Hinnant first joined the WDI Board of Directors in 2000 and was hired to take over the post as president and CEO in June 2007.

Since taking over the post, downtown has experienced many changes under Hinnant.

PPD relocated its corporate headquarters downtown in 2008 under Hinnant’s tenure with WDI.

The Northern Riverfront Marina and Hotel project promises to transform the northern end downtown with two new eateries and a Hotel Indigo. The Wilmington Convention Center continues to draw meetings and conventions to the downtown area, a new Courtyard by Marriott is currently going up at the intersection of Second and Grace streets, and a proposed Holiday Inn Express & Suites is set to rise along Grace Street in the central business district.

Residential development has also increased with City Block, a 112-unit apartment development along North Third Street poised to give the Brooklyn Arts District a boost.