Hannah Spence
By Hannah Spence
Teneka James-Feaman took a friend’s advice 17 years ago and applied for a job with the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority. By 2012, she was helping run the place. Last month, James-Feaman was appointed executive director.
Why it’s important: She succeeds longtime director Raphael Clemente in the high-profile role that manages a booming city center and the inevitable conflict that brings.
Stet News spoke with James-Feaman before she took over last week.
Stet News’ Hannah Spence: What does a working day look like for you? What are some of your responsibilities?
Teneka James-Feaman: I am juggling both roles as associate executive director and incoming director of DDA since I was just appointed last month.
We are currently transitioning a lot of things Raphael did as director to me in regard to projects we are working on. Right now, a couple of the projects we have going on are working on our next five-year interlocal agreement with the city and the CRA and deciding on a budget for the next fiscal year.
Additionally, we are addressing the need for more shady trees downtown. It was brought to our attention that we definitely needed more trees and we agreed.
We partnered with the city’s sustainability department, we brought in our landscaping person that works in our downtown and we all came up with a plan of what we need and what the costs looks like.
Stet: What is your No. 1 priority in your new job?
James-Feaman: I think for me as an incoming director, the No. 1 priority would be to make sure that we are fulfilling a lot of the expectations that we have for our stakeholders, which is our business community as well as our residents.
But then also expanding upon those relationships; and also working with our local government. And also continuing with the work we have been doing for the last couple of years.
Stet: What is the biggest change you have seen in your time with the DDA?
James-Feaman: The biggest change I have seen is not necessarily from our organization, but more of our place.
I have seen so much new development downtown.
I’ve gone through two different street (beautification) projects in the downtown area. I’ve seen the evolution of us having a lot of retail from us not having so many places to shop.
We have more nightlife and more restaurants.
Stet: What is the best piece of advice you have received?
James-Feaman: It was said during a conversation I had with Raphael many years ago. It was about taking your time.
He encouraged me to meet with anyone and everyone that wanted the opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with you because you never know where that could lead.
So basically, it’s just taking the time and meeting with those people in our community. And really try to help shape everything we do; and that can be our local restaurateur or the developer who is putting up a new high rise.
Stet: What inspired you to enter this field?
James-Feaman: It wasn’t anything specific that led me into government and not-for-profit agencies.
I’ve always done work with nonprofit organizations and I happen to know one of the board members who told me that I should really be working for the DDA and that I would enjoy working there because of what they do and how they do it. He informed me that there was an opening.
I wasn’t really sure but I came in and interviewed with the director. It turned out to be a great fit. I loved the variety and the vastness of the organization.
We deal with anything from working with our ambassadors to doing these amazing popup events that we have.
I am involved in so many things so it’s never quite the same day-to-day or year-to-year. That’s what I love about this job.
Stet: We live in a time where people are more open about struggling to find a work-life balance. How do you do it?
James-Feaman: I keep it in perspective. I love my job and I love my family. I have an amazing partner.
It is definitely hard as a woman, a mom and a professional to figure it all out.
When I’m at home, I strive to have balance but also organization.
Planning things in advance as much as I possibly can.
Stet: What were you like in college?
James-Feaman: I studied sports management when I was in college (at the University of Florida).
I wanted to be a lawyer and a sports agent at the time. I was not an athlete in college, but I was definitely fascinated by the human body and while at my college, athletics was top tier.
But during my sophomore or junior year, I changed that focus after losing the passion. There were a couple of situations with some athletes at the time where I said, ‘I don’t think I can do that.’
I realized representing an athlete wasn’t the path for me.
I felt like I could do better by providing services or being more involved in my community.
Stet: Where do you see yourself in five years?
James-Feaman: In five years, I see myself here at the organization. I see myself continuing working and expanding on our relationship with the downtown area.
I see our office expanding to incorporate more access to what we do and how we do it. I see us involved with more programming projects in the downtown area that benefit not just downtown but our city as a whole.
I still see myself being very passionate about what we do in the next five years and excited to be here at the forefront of it.
Stet: What is your advice for anyone who wants to be in your position?
James-Feaman: I would say to be as open to as many possibilities as possible. Even if you start out in one area or focus, you never know what it’s going to evolve into.
I would also suggest that when people get into certain positions, particularly in government … have the passion and ownership that you want for that position.
Make it what you feel will be the best for you, the organization and the community.
