Wilmington Downtown Inc. announced Wednesday the formation of a search committee to find the economic development organization's next president.

Officials announced in July that Ed Wolverton, who led the organization for nearly seven years, would be stepping down. Wolverton is now the president and CEO of Uptown Columbus Inc. in Columbus, Ga.

According to a news release Wednesday, the WDI Search Committee is made up of 11 members who come from various backgrounds, professions, interests and involvement in Wilmington’s downtown.  

 “We have worked hard to put together a diverse and notable group of volunteers,” said Colin Tarrant, chair of the committee, in the release. “The search committee has a lot of important work ahead, but the selection process will be very deliberate and thoughtful to ensure we find the best possible fit for WDI and downtown Wilmington.”

The release stated that the committee is in the first phase of the search process. After selecting its members, the panel had its first meeting Sept. 2, where members discussed their plans and goals for this task.

"The committee is now working to finalize the job description with the goal of widely posting and advertising the president/CEO position by Sept. 14," the release stated. "After reviewing candidate submissions, the committee will begin conducting interviews for the finalists.

"Mr. Tarrant and the committee will then make recommendations to the WDI Executive committee, who will ultimately vote on which candidate will be offered the president/CEO position."

Tarrant is a past chair of WDI and an attorney at the downtown Wilmington law firm Block Crouch Keeter Behm & Sayed LLP.

Other WDI Search Committee members include:

Rob Beale, W.M. Jordan Company
Tom Davis, past chair of WDI, City Block Apartment
Erris Dunston, city of Wilmington
Natalie English, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce
Jan Kennedy, New Hanover County Clerk of Court
Cathey Luna, past chair of WDI, Luna Ad
Billy Mellon, manna
Jim Morton, Cape Fear Community College
Jennifer Rigby, New Hanover County
Kurt Taylor, NextGlass/Untappd