RALEIGH, NC (February 22, 2016) – The Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA) is proud to recognize nine individuals who have gone above and beyond to live the mission of the DRA by helping to improve downtown Raleigh’s quality of life and supporting its continued economic success.
The Downtown Advocate Award: Johnny Byrd and Drew Sanderson
Mr. Byrd and Mr. Sanderson work for the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Raleigh and provide operational support for all of the DRA’s outdoor events.
The Downtown Ambassador Award: Darelle D. Patterson
Mr. Patterson has worked as an ambassador since 2010. In that time he has demonstrated a professional and positive working attitude and always has a friendly smile to anyone who sees him during his patrol.
The Downtown Distinguished Leadership Award: Roger Krupa
Mr. Krupa is now enjoying retirement after 36 years working with the city of Raleigh. Without him, staples of the downtown area like the Red Hat Amphitheater and the Duke Energy Performing Arts Center would never have become a reality. He also worked to bring in popular events like the World of Bluegrass festival.
Downtown Merchant Legacy Award: Paul and Floye Dombalis of The Mecca Restaurant
The Mecca Restaurant is one of the oldest family owned restaurants in the country and has been serving Raleigh patrons since 1930.
Downtown Rising Star Award: Van and Vanvisa Nolintha of Bida Manda Laotian Restaurant and Bar
Bida Manda opened its doors in 2012 near Moore Square and has quickly become one of the most popular restaurants in the region.
The Downtown Resident Award: Joanne Malouf
Ms. Malouf has lived in downtown Raleigh for eight years and owns Nuvonivo, a children’s clothes boutique on Hargett Street. She has advocated for other retail owners to work together and support one another through DRA-sponsored programs.
Sponsors:
We would like to thank our sponsors for their support in the 2016 Annual Meeting:
Presenting:
PNC
Achievement Awards:
Dominion Reality Partners
Platinum:
American AV; Highwoods Properties; Provenance; Poyner Spruill; Raleigh Convention Center; Remedy; Revered; RDU to Paris; Triangle Business Journal; UNC Rex Healthcare
Gold:
18 Seaboard; ABC11; Alcine Properties, LLC; AT&T North Carolina; Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC; CBRE|Raleigh; Clark Nexsen; CPI Security Systems; Duke Energy; iHeartMedia; JDavis; JLL; Kane Realty Corporation; Kimley-Horn; SunTrust Bank
Silver:
Alexander Family YMCA; Alfred Williams & Company; AlliedBarton; August Construction Solutions, Inc.; Blue Ridge Realty; Campbell University School of Law; Citrix; Clancy & Theys Construction Company; Coastal Federal Credit Union; ColeJenest & Stone; Cushman & Wakefield; Deco Raleigh; Duke Raleigh Hospital; First Citizens Bank; FRENCH I WEST I VAUGHAN; Friends of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences; Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce; Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton – Raleigh Downtown @ Glenwood South; Hibernian; Hobby Properties; Ipreo; LS3P; Lundy Group Inc./Hyde Street Holdings, LLC; Michelin; Mulkey Engineers & Consultants; Nando Media Company; North State Bank; Parker Poe; PRSONAS; Raleigh Marriott City Center; Rodgers Builders; Spectrum Properties; Stewart; Table of Contents; Trademark Properties; Triangle Downtowner Magazine; United Maintenance Corporation, Inc.; US Foods; Williams Mullen; Womble Carlyle; WRAL – TV; York Properties
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About Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA):
DRA is an award-winning nonprofit organization whose mission is to continue the revitalization of Raleigh’s downtown. The Alliance enhances the quality of life and positively impacts the economic success of downtown through six core services: 1. Safety, Hospitality & Clean Ambassadors; 2. Strategic Branding & Community Communications; 3. Special Events Production; 4. Retail Attraction & Merchant Promotions; 5. Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement; and 6. Strategic Planning. For more information about DRA, please visit www.YouRHere.com.