Josh Rogers is a leader who builds community by speaking plainly, taking responsibility, and acting with conviction. Rogers helps describe and illustrate the vision for the future that is already shared by optimistic citizens and works to align resources and people to turn that vision into a reality we can enjoy now. His best skill is using market economics to meet philanthropic needs. After working for the City of Macon, Rogers was named Executive Director of Historic Macon Foundation before turning 30. He ascended to his current role leading the nonprofit NewTown Macon in 2014, where he works to revitalize downtown Macon and expand the river trail system. Rogers formed Central Georgia’s first and only Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), launched downtown’s first self-taxing district (BID), built the world’s largest pop-up bike lane network, founded the Magnolia Soap Box Derby and initiated Macon’s Intercity Conference. During his tenure, he has increased storefront occupancy from 56% to 82%, added 360 loft housing units, doubled property values, and driven over $350 million of public and private investment into downtown Macon while also increasing NewTown’s net assets by over 170%. Most importantly, no Maconites were left behind, as more women and people of color own and operate buildings and businesses in downtown Macon today than ten years ago.Downtown Macon’s success has been recognized by Frommer’s 2023 “Best Places to Visit” to the New York Times “52 Places to Go in 2023,” among many others, but Josh, his wife Meaghan, and his kids Jack and Ellie know it as the best place to call home.