December 3, 2025

Downtown Seattle Association

The Downtown Seattle Association added three senior leaders who it says will guide key areas of the organization's work to create a healthy, vibrant downtown: Matt Gurney, chief operating officer; Chris Copacino, vice president of communications and marketing; and Dennis Sills, vice president of advocacy and economic development. Gurney, Copacino and Sills join John Scholes, president and CEO; Jennifer Casillas, VP, public realm and ambassador operations; Emily Bailor, chief of staff; and Alex Hudson, executive director of Commute Seattle, on the executive team. Gurney, who joined DSA in May as COO, oversees financial, human resources, regulatory and administrative functions for the organization. He spent much of his career in the social enterprise and nonprofit space, serving for more than 20 years in senior leadership roles with FareStart in downtown Seattle. Most recently, he served as CEO of Fort Worden Hospitality. Copacino, who took over as VP of communications and marketing in September, leads DSA's external communications, brand strategy and marketing efforts. He most recently served as executive director of business development for ad agency Copacino Fujikado, where he spent more than 21 years. He has worked with some of the region's most recognizable brands, including REI, the Seattle Mariners, Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Sills, who joined DSA earlier this month, brings two decades of experience in government relations and public policy, most recently serving as director of external affairs at Plymouth Housing. Sills also worked for Congresswoman Suzan DelBene after spending 10 years in Washington, D.C., serving as legislative director for Congressman G.K. Butterfield. Established in 1958, the Downtown Seattle Association is a nonprofit membership organization that also manages the Metropolitan Improvement District, a business-improvement area spanning 300 square blocks downtown.