Andy is a native of Tampa, Florida and graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Marketing. He began his career in commercial real estate with the Florida Commercial Development Association and then joined Grubb & Ellis of Florida as a commercial real estate salesman in the downtown Tampa market. In 1992, he joined the Tampa Downtown Partnership as its Director of Marketing and Business Development.

Andy served Shreveport, Louisiana’s Downtown Development Authority for six years as its Executive Director and while there was instrumental in relocating City Hall back to downtown, created a new public parking management program and authored the downtown strategic plan. Andy was Chairman of the United Way of NW Louisiana in 2001. Andy was also the President of Downtown Shreveport Unlimited and the Downtown Shreveport Development Corporation.

Andy joined Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. (Texas) as President in 2003. DFWI is Fort Worth’s downtown advocacy organization and it manages the downtown planning process, two Public Improvement Districts, the downtown Tax Increment Finance District, two city parks, the MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival and Parade of Lights. DFWI developed the JFK Tribute in Fort Worth and is currently leading the $30M Heritage Park development effort. Andy is a past Chairman of the International Downtown Association, Past President of the Rotary Club of Fort Worth and served on the Board of the National Civic League.

Matt Beard was born in Fort Worth, and grew up attending Fort Worth public schools. He attended The University of Texas at Arlington, graduating in 2007 with his Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

Since joining DFWI in January of 2015, Matt has managed the two Public Improvement Districts located Downtown, PID #1 and PID #14. Beginning in October of 2015, Matt took on the role of TIF Administrator for the Downtown Tax Increment Financing District TIF 3.

In addition to his responsibilities with DFWI, Matt is a member of the Fort Worth Police Bike Support Group and serves on the Keep Fort Worth Beautiful Board, Operation Partnership Emergency Network (OPEN), and Downtown Fort Worth’s Downtown Security Group.

Matt has been married for 6 years to his wife Laura who is a teacher with the Fort Worth Independent School District. Their first child, a daughter named Collins was born in 2014. They welcomed their second, a son named Mason in 2016.

Cleshia Butler brings a unique blend of hospitality, administration, and creative passion to her work at Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. A Fort Worth native, she has built a career grounded in client service and organizational support, with a love for the downtown community.

Before joining DFWI in 2014, Cleshia honed her hospitality skills as Lead Front Desk Associate at the Fort Worth Club, serving the heart of downtown for three and a half years, and held administrative roles at Fort Worth ISD and H&R Block. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwestern Assemblies of God University and an Applied Associates Degree in Career Acting from KD Studio Actors' Conservatory.

Outside of the office, Cleshia actively pursues her passion for the performing arts, appearing in theatrical and film productions across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Brandi Ervin is originally from Fort Worth, TX. She attended the University of Texas at Arlington, graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting.

Brandi began her career at Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. in April of 2013. She worked as the Accounting Assistant then as the Production Coordinator for the MAIN ST Fort Worth Arts Festival. In September of 2014 she was promoted to Controller.

Since joining DFWI, Brandi has participated in two Dale Carnegie Professional Development Courses, where she received the Highest Award for Achievement in her class. In 2018, she was invited to assist instruction of a Dale Carnegie Course as a Graduate Assistant. Brandi served on the board for Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth Endowment Fund from 2018 to 2023.

Shane Smith is Director of Research at Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., where he leads data-driven analysis on downtown economic development, real estate conditions, demographics, public policy, and urban trends. His work supports strategic planning, informs civic and business decision-making, and helps community partners better understand the forces shaping Downtown Fort Worth.

Shane holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Texas at Dallas and is certified in Geographic Information Systems. Before joining DFWI, he worked as a research analyst at UT Dallas, contributing to public policy and economic research, and later served as an adjunct economics professor at Dallas County Community College.

Outside of DFWI, Shane and his wife, Yolanda, are active in their faith community, serving in the ministry of Parker County Bible Church.

Barbara Sprabary brings more than three decades of executive leadership support and a deep-rooted commitment to Fort Worth to her role at Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. A proud Fort Worth native, she joined DFWI in 2017, realizing a long-held dream of returning to the city she never stopped calling home.

Barbara began her professional career in 1986 as one of the original eight employees of Cross Timbers Oil Company — now XTO Energy, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil — where she advanced to Assistant Corporate Secretary and served for thirteen years as Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Board. Her career reflects a rare blend of operational excellence, institutional knowledge, and trusted executive partnership.

After stepping away from corporate life to raise her three children, Barbara relocated with her family to Concord, North Carolina, in 2001. Yet, Fort Worth remained central to her story, and in 2017 she returned home and joined the DFWI team later that same year.

Beyond her work, Barbara enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling back to North Carolina, hunting for a good bargain, and creating inviting spaces. She is the proud mother of three grown children — Paula, Easton, and Sam — and grandmother to Madeline, Kamila, Luka, and Vivienne.

Courtney was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and has spent her career building relationships across the community she proudly calls home. She brings more than 18 years of experience in sales, marketing and event strategy within the hospitality industry, where she held leadership roles with major hotels in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and was recognized as Hospitality Association of Tarrant County's Sales Leader of the Year in 2023. In 2025, she was also honored as one of the Most Influential Women for her contributions to the local business community.

As Director of Marketing and Membership for Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. Courtney leads efforts to grow membership, strengthen partnerships, and promote downtown Fort Worth as a vibrant destination for business, culture, and community life. She is passionate about connecting people and organizations in ways that support a thriving downtown.

Courtney is the proud mother of her son, Luke, who keeps life fun, active, and full of adventure outside the office.