The South of 6 Business District recently hired Maurice Davis as its new executive director with the hopes of bringing his business and marketing experience to the area.

The South of 6 is a nonprofit that supports economic development, infrastructure growth, and community events in southern Iowa City by investing money from taxes imposed on commercial property owners in the area. The district was founded in spring 2022, according to the organization’s website.

Davis, 33, lives in Cedar Rapids and has lived in Iowa since 2013. Davis has been involved in several eastern Iowa nonprofits and previously ran his own marketing firm. He has also taught marketing classes at Kirkwood Community College.

Since the start of the South of 6 Business District, Davis has been involved in the background. He said he knew the district’s founders and helped them occasionally with various projects.

Over the summer, the district’s former Executive Director Angie Jordan announced she would be resigning from her position because of a medical condition, according to a social media post from the District.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served my neighborhood and community in this role,” Jordan said in a May 14 social media post. “I am incredibly proud of the work that has been accomplished and to have been part of setting the stage for more to come — the future of the south side of Iowa City is bright if we keep coming together.”

When Jordan left her position, Davis said he decided he would come out of the woodwork after being asked to apply for the position.

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“This time around, just getting tapped on the shoulder, I was like, ‘Okay, it’s time,’” Davis said. “I believe that I can add some value to the situation, and that’s what I hope to do.”

In his time at the helm of the business district, Davis said he hopes to bring more people to the south side of Iowa City by making the area feel more inviting and growing its many businesses. Davis said he also plans to increase the size of the business district’s team.

In terms of what he brings to the South of 6, Davis said his marketing and technology background will be important for the goals of the district as well as the way he approaches problems. Davis said he is not afraid of failing and trying new things because this can present an opportunity to learn and become better.

Other leaders within the district are excited to have Davis join the team. Nick Bergus, the district’s president, said he did not know Davis prior to him applying for executive director, but Davis’ positive energy, engaging personality, and community-driven mindset made him stand out.

Bergus also highlighted Davis’ marketing background as an important skill set for the district. There are many lesser-known businesses in the district that are doing great work, and Davis has the skills needed to bring more attention to them, Bergus said.

“We know there are hidden treasures in the South of 6, and we’d like them to be not hidden treasures — we’d like them to be treasures,” Bergus said. “And I think he has the background and knows how to help do that kind of work.”