Sandy Farris, executive director of the Downtown Bryan Association, announced her intent to retire at the end of September to the DBA Board of Trustees on Monday, Feb. 24. The Sept. 30 date coincides with the end of the fiscal year for the DBA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to showcasing downtown Bryan through events and activities.
"It has been my honor to know and work with Sandy. Her leadership and community involvement have been instrumental in the accomplishments and successful growth of our beloved downtown. Downtown Bryan would not be the vibrant place it is today without her leadership and service. I have nothing but gratitude for all she has done for downtown and this community," says DBA Board Chair Matthew Faulkner.
In a letter to the board, Farris notes that she had served as the organization's leader more than twice as long as she had intended when first hired in 2013 after completing a 34-year career as a teacher and administrator, most of which was served in Bryan ISD.
"As a business owner in downtown Bryan for the past 28 years, I have never known anyone who has had a more positive influence on downtown Bryan than Sandy Farris. We have been so fortunate to have her as an advocate for downtown. Thank you Sandy, for your years of service to our community," says Brent Hairston, Bryan City Council SMD 5 and downtown property owner.
