David Feehan
CEO
Civatas Consultants LLC
2020 SPEAKERS

Civitas Consultants LLC is a Maryland-based consulting corporation formed in 2009 by David Feehan, a world-recognized expert in downtown revitalization. For more than fifty years, Feehan has provided leadership and management to successful downtown and business district organizations, founded and directed a technical assistance center for community development organizations and a public policy organization, authored numerous books and articles, and taught at two universities. He is often quoted by news media throughout North America and elsewhere. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and meetings, recently speaking in Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Turin, Quebec, and Taipei, and has provided consulting services to many government agencies, organizations and associations. He has served on numerous boards of directors, and has chaired the boards of the International Downtown Association, the Responsible Hospitality Institute, Preserve Historic Dinkytown, and other organizations.

As the chief executive of three downtown organizations and two community development corporations, Feehan managed major real estate and infrastructure projects, successful business attraction and retention programs, major events, and an award-winning parking system.

As the chief executive of two technical assistance centers, he provided organizational development, marketing, fundraising and other management support to more than 500 nonprofit organizations.

As a consultant, Feehan has helped downtown and business district organizations as well as units of government develop visions and missions, strategic plans, innovative programs, and transformational processes.

As an author and professor, he co-edited and wrote the most recognized textbook on downtown management, Making Business Districts Work, and a new publication, Design Downtown for Women – Men Will Follow. He is a frequent writer for journals and trade publications.