Historic Downtown Plano Association Announces New Executive Director

Historic Downtown Plano Association (HPDA), a nonprofit organization serving the downtown merchant members within the arts district, has announced the selection of Alex Hargis, CMP as its new executive director. Alex, specializing in nonprofit operational development and event management, will work with area merchants, city officials and local arts groups to develop Plano’s newly established arts district and bring exposure to Downtown Plano. Recently, HPDA has experienced rapid growth from community engagement and urban development with a renewed retail and dining scene, new building construction, and district-wide events such as Steinfest and Night Out on 15th, Plano’s fine dining event of the year.

“HDPA is pleased to announce the appointment of Alex as our new executive director,” said Mirna Lynch, HDPA President. “He has dedicated his career to helping nonprofit organizations define their goals and fully live out their mission. His passion for the arts and producing community events will be vital in making Downtown Plano a cultural destination experience for north Texans.”

Alex is proud of his deep ties to Plano and the arts. He’s a graduate of Plano’s Collin College and hall of fame member of its award-winning theater program. Alex began his career working for the City as the patron services manager for Plano Stages, overseeing guest experience for the historic Courtyard Theater, Cox Building Playhouse and the Amphitheater at Oak Point Park. Alex has also served as the communications director for White’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas, managing all marketing and creative services for the 4th fastest growing Methodist church in America. Prior to returning to Plano, Alex was the assistant director of events for the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District where he oversaw the operations of nearly 900 events a year that included the Aurora festival and Reliant Lights Your Holidays. He is also the founder and executive producer of Cancer Jam, a celebration-of-life community concert that raises money to help individuals and their families fight cancer.

“I am thrilled to be coming back home to the Plano Arts District in this new role,” states Alex. “It is a privilege to serve the hardworking merchants that make downtown a special place to eat, shop and be creatively engaged. We are blessed to be in a city like Plano that is rooted in its heritage but not held back by it. I look forward to playing a part in the next chapter of downtown’s evolution as a thriving center for the arts.”

Learn more about Alex and his vision for Downtown Plano in our March issue!

Historic Downtown Plano Association

HDPA is a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization with a mission to advance community awareness of Plano’s historic arts district and to support the advancement of culture and arts in the downtown community.