The NewTown Macon Board of Directors unanimously voted today to appoint James L. Fritze, chief financial officer since 2018, to succeed Josh Rogers as president and CEO, Board Chair and Mercer University President William D. Underwood announced. The appointment is effective immediately. 

Rogers, 42, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 24 after leading the nonprofit downtown economic development organization since 2014.

“James is an experienced, competent and mission-driven leader who is perfectly suited to preserve the phenomenal momentum that NewTown has experienced under Josh Rogers’ great leadership,” Underwood said. “He has served alongside Josh over the past seven years and has been at the center of downtown Macon’s resurrection. I am grateful he is willing to accept this responsibility.” 

As CFO, Fritze has applied imagination and ingenuity to NewTown’s dynamic programs, including its work as a Community Development Financial Institution. He has structured and closed development projects that are transforming downtown Macon, such as Hotel Forty Five and the soon-to-be-completed Neel’s Lofts. Fritze manages an annual budget of $4 million and over $45 million in assets, including NewTown’s loan program. 

Fritze is a certified public accountant (CPA) with an undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. He has 25 years of leadership and accounting experience, including previous positions as a hospital chief executive and owner/operator of several independent companies prior to joining NewTown Macon. Fritze uses his technical expertise in accounting along with real-world experience running private for-profit businesses to coach and support NewTown’s loan clients and downtown business owners.

 “James will bring continuity and a deep understanding of the progress of NewTown as he and his colleagues step up and move forward to achieve the full promise of NewTown,” said Dr. R. Kirby Godsey, one of the three founders of NewTown Macon and chair of the Peyton Anderson Foundation Board of Trustees.

“The leadership of James and the Staff assures that the progress of NewTown will not falter,” said Karen Lambert, vice chair of the NewTown board and president and CEO of the Peyton Anderson Foundation.

“While we are heartbroken by the loss of Josh, his passion and vision for downtown Macon will forever guide our path forward,” Fritze said. “The board, staff, and I are steadfast in our commitment to fulfilling NewTown’s mission of revitalizing the heart of our community and creating a downtown that lifts up all Maconites. Together, we will build on the incredible momentum he created and ensure downtown Macon thrives for generations to come.”

Fritze and his wife, Denise, are avid supporters of downtown businesses and can be found listening to live music at downtown venues or enjoying dinner at one of downtown’s 54 restaurants. They have two adult children and a grandson.