Downtown Springfield, Inc. has chosen its new executive director. Springfield native Carlos Ortega will officially step into the role on Thursday. For the last four years, Ortega has been the executive director of Elevate CCIC in Mattoon. It’s a co-working business innovation center he helped create. Ortega has also worked with Habitat for Humanity Youth Builds and the Illinois State Senate in addition to being a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa.
DSI Board President Blake Pryor said Ortega was chosen from two finalists and added that they were looking for someone who is a self-starter, a change agent, passionate, and driven. Pryor, appearing on the WTAX Morning Newswatch, said Ortega is very passionate about the Springfield community, and his experience makes him a natural fit for this position.
Ortega will officially start at DSI on Thursday. He replaces former Executive Director Kayla Graven, who left in November 2023.