Work is underway to identify the next executive director of the San Luis Obispo Downtown Association, a critical role in the local business community that has been filled by Deborah Cash for the past 18 years. The Downtown Association board of directors launched a national search, which will be open through Oct. 10, and has already begun to attract candidates. The position is intended to be filled before Thanksgiving with a January 2014 start date. The role is focused on fostering an economically viable downtown which includes supporting businesses in the district, advocating for the interests of the downtown core and marketing to attract residents and visitors to experience the downtown. The executive director role reports to an 11-person volunteer board, manages four full-time employees, six committees and is responsible for operating a $700,000 budget. Interested candidates can find more information here.