By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services

A former Shreveport mayor is one of four people — and one of two local people — who have been chosen to interview for the position of > Executive Director of the city’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

 Wednesday, the DDA board narrowed its initial list of candidates. The current short list includes Cedric Glover, who served two terms as  mayor (2006-2014), and Adam Bailey, Community and Planning Design
 Manager for the Shreveport/Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission.

The DDA’s board also approved hiring a recruiting firm to solicit applicants from outside the area.

Janie Landry, DDA’s interim executive director, said the hiring of a recruiting firm “will get the word out to, hopefully, individuals who have downtown experience.”

Glover, a Democrat who was Shrveport’s first African-American mayor, served in the Louisiana State House of Representatives from 1995-2006, and from 2016-2024. In 2023, Glover was defeated in his bid to win a seat in the Louisiana State Senate.

“Downtown Shreveport is the foundation upon which the rest of our region is built,” Glover told the Journal Thursday evening, when asked why he is interested in the position. “If it is not safe, strong, and
 vibrant, then the balance of our region is at risk.”

 As to what Glover has to offer the DDA, the 58 year-old said he brings “a demonstrated history and ability of being able to bring people  together from all sectors of our community to take on and overcome some of the biggest challenges.” Glover said that “just about every positive project that is either underway or already delivered is something that I played a leading role in making happen.”

 Bailey could not be reached for comment Thursday. He is described on his Linkedin page as a “results-driven professional city planner with over 20 years of demonstrated ability and solid work experience in
 leadership roles.” The page also reads that Bailey is an “expert in strategic planning, implementing community plans, driving growth, and improving operations.”

The other two candidates who will be asked to interview with the search firm, once it is selected, are:

 -Guy Fortt, who, according to his resume and application, works with youth in Connecticut who have complex behavioral health issues.

 -Adrian Lopez, who, according to his resume and application, is Executive Director of the Save Energy Coalition in Colorado.

The position of executive director became open when Liz Swaine left  the DDA at the end of last year. She had been in the role for 13 years.

Landry said while there isn’t a timeline for the search, she hopes the role will be filled “sooner rather than later.”

“It’s not a fast process,” Landry said. “The bottom line is that everybody wants the best person possible in the position.

Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com.