Andrew Thomas will step down as Chief Executive Officer of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc (DTSM) the nonprofit announced Friday, concluding a tenure marked by post-pandemic revitalization, organizational turnover and a mixed reception from stakeholders navigating the future of the city’s downtown core.
Thomas, who was appointed CEO in July 2022 following the 25-year leadership of Kathleen Rawson, confirmed his departure in a statement that highlighted achievements such as expanded public safety measures, homelessness outreach, new business development and the launch of California’s first regularly recurring Entertainment Zone on the Third Street Promenade.
“When I returned to DTSM in 2022, it truly felt like coming home,” Thomas said. “Together, we rebuilt the foundation, reimagined the future and reignited the spirit and pride of our downtown.”
The timing of his resignation follows months of internal review and debate by the organization’s 13-member board. In April, the board held a split vote in closed session to authorize contract negotiations with Thomas, with six members in favor and four opposed. A separate motion to open the CEO role to outside candidates failed. The board then voted unanimously to create an ad hoc committee tasked with defining leadership performance standards, negotiating terms and commissioning an organizational analysis.
While the official statement did not cite a specific reason for Thomas’s departure, the board held a special closed meeting on Thursday evening. His announcement came just one day later.
Thomas joined DTSM during a volatile period for downtown Santa Monica. The district, once considered one of the premier retail and tourism destinations in Southern California, was struggling with declining foot traffic, vacancies, a surge in homelessness and property crime and strained relations between the nonprofit and the City.
A longtime figure in urban placemaking, Thomas had previously served as DTSM’s director of operations from 2001 to 2010 before leading the Westwood Village Improvement Association. Upon returning as CEO in 2022, he inherited a dramatically reduced staff, a weakened revenue base and mounting pressure to reinvent the downtown district as visitors' habits shifted and retail trends evolved.
His tenure was marked by an ambitious push to reframe the district’s appeal. With support from city staff and the DTSM board, Thomas led the launch of the Promenade’s Entertainment Zone, a pilot program that suspended noise restrictions and live performance permitting rules to allow regular events such as DJs, dance acts and food pop-ups. The zone was intended to attract younger and more local audiences, as well as diversify the business base beyond traditional retail.
In parallel, Thomas championed the expansion of the nonprofit’s private security efforts, worked to bolster cleaning services and launched marketing initiatives aimed at reintroducing downtown Santa Monica to regional and national audiences.
But his leadership was not without friction. Some property owners expressed concern over budget priorities, perceived alignment with city staff over business interests and the organization’s communications strategy. The board itself became increasingly divided over the direction of the organization, culminating in a series of pivotal votes in the spring.
In Friday's statement, Thomas expressed gratitude to board members, city officials, staff and community partners. He praised DTSM employees as “the heartbeat of the organization” and said he looks forward to staying connected with the downtown district even as he transitions out of his leadership role.
“Serving this community has been the honor of a lifetime,” he said.
DTSM Board Chair Michele Aronson offered praise for Thomas’s contributions during what she described as a “challenging time” for the organization and the district. “His vision and commitment have left a lasting impact,” Aronson said. “We look forward to building on the strong foundation he helped create.”
Thomas will remain with the organization for a transitional period to assist with leadership handover. No interim or permanent successor has yet been named.
His departure marks the end of a three-year chapter in which DTSM sought to redefine its identity while navigating financial uncertainty, organizational restructuring and shifting expectations from both the City and its business stakeholders.
To compare, Thomas’s predecessor, Kathleen Rawson, led the nonprofit for 25 years and earned annual compensation ranging from $263,000 to $293,000 in her final years, according to nonprofit tax records. Thomas’s starting base salary in 2022 was $245,000, with provisions for annual increases and bonuses based on performance targets such as sponsorships, safety metrics and district cleanliness.
The board is expected to meet in the coming weeks to discuss interim leadership and next steps.
scott.snowden@smdp.com