#80 Scott Knies – CEO San Jose Downtown Association

Scott has been at the helm of the San Jose Downtown Association since 1988 and has been the foundation’s only executive director.

Starting as founder and owner of the Fencing Center in 1981, Scott’s career changed as he and other business owners looked to represent the needs of downtown businesses and the Downtown community experience. Under his leadership over these last 34 years, Scott has band a prime seat in witnessing changes and directing the City’s urban core vitality. The organization launched the Music in the Park summer concert series in 1989, the Downtown Farmers’ Market, and the Downtown Ice skating rink – to list a few of the accomplishments. 

In 2021 Scott announced his plans to step down in the fall of 2022, and a search for his replacement has already been in process.
In our discussion, we talk about how he came to San Jose, became the CEO of the SJDA, the changes he has seen over the last three decades, and his love for rafting.

Find out more about the San Jose Downtown Association and a San Jose events calendar at sjdowntown.com and on Instagram sj_downtown

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This episode’s music is “408” by Jack Pavlina. Read more about Jack in Issue 14.1 Winter 2022 — release date: Dec. 9, 2021: https://bit.ly/Discover141
Follow Jack at @jackpavlinamusic
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