The Downtown Arlington Management Corporation (DAMC) announced its new president and CEO Aldo Fritz at the organization’s 2017 annual meeting and luncheon.
Fritz immediately begins his new role as president and CEO, while previous CEO and president Tony Rutigliano is leaving to establish a new wine and coffee bar in Downtown Arlington.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to work with our board and lead the only organization focused on making Downtown Arlington the premier place to live, work, dine and shop,” Fritz said. “The City of Arlington’s success is linked in part to the vibrancy of our urban core, which makes DAMC’s work to dramatically improve our public spaces and the urban experience and to also attract new investment and development, so important.”
Fritz, an Arlington resident, said he is excited to bring his vast urban planning experience to Downtown. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida Atlantic University. He has also earned a master in Real Estate Development from the University of Texas at Arlington. Additionally, he is a certified planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).
His work in urban planning included serving the City of Dallas as a chief planner. After years of municipal work, Fritz switched gears and worked as the home office real estate manager for JCPenney Inc., where he contributed to the sale of the company headquarters in Plano.
Fritz said he is passionate about creating positive change and economic growth in Downtown Arlington by embracing an innovative and collaborative approach toward urban and regional planning.
“Our board chose Aldo Fritz after an exhaustive search that yielded numerous outstanding candidates,” said the new chair of the DAMC board, Valerie Landry. “He brings extensive experience in planning and development and a track record of consensus building.” Landry added, “We are confident that Aldo’s expertise and enthusiasm will benefit all our diverse stakeholders.”
Rutigliano held the DAMC top leadership position for the past six years.
“Downtown Arlington is experiencing transformational change,” said Rutigliano. “With Downtown Arlington earning the designation as a cultural arts district coupled with an increased presence of public art and an abundance of new construction, my successor Aldo Fritz is in a perfect position to leverage the momentum.”