West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors Appoints New Officers
July 22nd, 2026
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (July 22, 2026) – The West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has announced the selection of new officers for the DDA Board of Directors.
Peter Cruise, Ph.D., has been selected as Chair of the DDA Board of Directors. First appointed to the Board in 2024, Dr. Cruise is an Affiliate Associate Professor at Florida Atlantic University and Founding Director of the FAU-LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy. His academic and professional work has focused on strengthening ethical practices in public-sector programs and organizations. Since earning his Ph.D. in 1995, he has taught ethics and organizational behavior in undergraduate and graduate programs at universities in California, Louisiana, and Virginia. He has also authored or co-authored numerous articles, books, and book chapters. In April 2015, the faculty of Florida Atlantic University’s College of Design and Social Inquiry selected him as a Distinguished Alumnus. In March 2018, he was appointed to the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics and the Palm Beach County Inspector General Committee. Dr. Cruise also serves on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, Leadership Palm Beach County, Nonprofits First, and the Palm Beach County Medical Society’s Council of Ethical & Judicial Affairs.
Daryl Houston has been selected as Vice-Chair. In addition to his role on the DDA Board, Houston serves as Vice President of Community Impact at the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. He has more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, including previous positions with United Way of Palm Beach County and Hands on Palm Beach County. Houston offers experience in community partnerships, nonprofit leadership, philanthropy and stakeholder engagement.
Teneka James-Feaman, executive director of the DDA, has been selected as Secretary of the DDA Board. She was appointed as executive director in 2024 and has been a dedicated member of the DDA staff since 2007. During her time with the DDA, James-Feaman has helped strengthen the downtown community through a variety of improvements including establishment of ambassador teams responsible for beautification and stakeholder engagement, transportation programs aimed at reducing congestion and promoting transit and walkable streets, the development of placemaking opportunities such as the popular Fern Street Chess Park, the addition of engaging murals throughout downtown, and a regular schedule of events designed to unite and enrich the community.
DDA board members are appointed by the Mayor of West Palm Beach and approved by the West Palm Beach City Commission. The seven-member board serves as the DDA’s governing body, representing downtown residents, businesses and property owners, and provides strategic leadership, policy direction, and financial oversight to advance the DDA’s mission of enhancing the vitality and economic success of Downtown West Palm Beach. The DDA’s work includes clean and safe services, improvements to public spaces, business assistance, community programming, mobility partnerships, research and studies that help guide future improvements, and advocacy on issues affecting the downtown district.
The DDA Board meets at 8:30 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the DDA office, located at 107 S. Olive Avenue, Suite 200. The next meeting is scheduled for August 18. For more information about the DDA, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call (561)833-8873.
About the Downtown Development Authority
The West Palm Beach DDA is an independent taxing district created in 1967 by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to promote and enhance a safe, vibrant Downtown for our residents, businesses and visitors through the strategic development of economic, social and cultural opportunities. For more information about the DDA or Downtown West Palm Beach, please visit DowntownWPB.com or call the DDA at (561) 833-8873.