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 was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. She attended Southwestern Assemblies of God University, graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She also attended KD Studio Actors’ Conservatory, and graduated in 2009 with an Applied Associates Degree in Career Acting.

Cleshia joined the DFWI team in January of 2014. Prior to joining DFWI, Cleshia worked as the Lead Front Desk Associate at the Fort Worth Club for 3 ½ years. She has also worked in administrative assisting positions at such organizations as Fort Worth ISD and H&R Block.

In her spare time, Cleshia also enjoys pursuing her dream of acting by performing in theatres across the D/FW 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 a seasoned economist and research professional with extensive experience in both academic and applied economic research. He is the Director of Research at Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. (DFWI), leading data-driven initiatives to support urban development and community insights.

Shane has also taught economics as an adjunct professor at Dallas County Community College, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of economists. His research background includes a role as a research analyst at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he contributed to critical projects in public policy and economic analysis. He also holds a Master's degree in Economics from the University of Texas at Dallas and is certified as a Geographic Information Services Professional (GIS).

Shane is married to his wonderful wife, Yolanda, and they serve in the ministry of Parker County Bible Church, a church plant.

Barbara Sprabary is a Fort Worth native. She began her career as an administrative assistant in 1986 when she was invited by one of the founding partners of Cross Timbers Oil Company (now XTO Energy) to work for him. She was one of eight employees when the company started. After the company went public, Barbara was promoted to Assistant Corporate Secretary. For thirteen years, she worked as the assistant to the Chairman of the Board, until she resigned to be a stay at home mother to her three children, Paula-Kay, Easton, and Sam.

In 2001, Barbara and her family moved to Concord, North Carolina where they resided for 16 years. Fort Worth always remained close to her heart and she dreamed to one day return. In 2017, her dream came true. She joined Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. in December of that same year. She is happy to call Fort Worth home - where family, community, culture and history make this city the best place to live and work!

In her spare time, Barbara enjoys spending time with her daughter and traveling back to North Carolina to visit Easton and Sam who are finishing up their studies at Southeastern University and the University of North Carolina in Charlotte.