Steven T. Kelley, DBA

Steve is the Director of Downtown Real Estate and Development for the City of Jacksonville, Downtown Investment Authority. In this capacity, he works closely with developers and business owners on structuring capital to stimulate investment and growth in the defined areas served by the DIA and developing programs for these efforts.

With nearly thirty years in the banking industry, starting with Barnett Bank in 1991 and continuing through TIAA Bank in 2020, Steve brings significant experience in underwriting debt and equity to meet the mutual needs of investors and lenders, principally related to commercial real estate.

Steve’s commitment to the Jacksonville community is found in the boards and committees he represents, including the Jacksonville Community Land Trust, where he currently serves as the inaugural board chair; he is also on the advisory committee for the Urban Land Institute of North Florida, and on the advisory board of the Jacksonville University Marine Science Research Institute.

Steve holds a Doctor of Business Administration from Jacksonville University, with a focus on economics and finance. His principal areas of research have been on housing affordability, income disparity, and economic development. Steve is also an adjunct professor of Economics at Jacksonville University.