Jimmy Cerracchio

The Downtown Fresno Partnership has been interviewing for a new CEO after the departure of Jimmy Cerracchio.

Jordan Sanchez became interim CEO in December with Cerracchio’s move to Arizona for another job opportunity and to be closer to family.

Started in 2011, the Downtown Fresno Partnership is charged with improving downtown’s physical environment, providing marketing services for businesses and promoting events. As a Property Based Improvement District, it’s funded through a special tax on property owners in the downtown core. The owners agree by vote to the taxes, which generated $857,075 last year.

Cerracchio came into the position in Fresno in 2018 after working at similar districts in Hampton, Virginia and Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona.

When he was hired in Fresno, aside from the warmth of California, Cerracchio said he was attracted to how vibrant the city felt.

“It’s not something I would have attributed to Fresno,” Cerracchio said. “I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”

Efforts to reach Cerracchio about his departure were unsuccessful.

Cerracchio joined the Downtown Transformation Team for the city of Mesa, Arizona. 

“Thank you all for your service on both the [Downtown Fresno Partnership] and [Downtown Fresno Foundation] Boards, and the support you’ve shown to me over the years (and especially getting through the Pandemic). Being in Fresno has been a great opportunity for me, and I’ve made some great memories during my time here,” wrote Cerracchio in his resignation letter.

The application period for the Downtown Fresno Partnership CEO job ended Jan. 9, Sanchez said. After interviews, the Board of Directors is expected to approve a new executive at its Feb. 15 meeting.