Staff

John Caner, CEO

John has served as CEO of the Downtown Berkeley Association for over 14 years and currently serves on the boards of the International Downtown Association and California Downtown Association (CDA) and chairs homeless and mental health policy committees for the CDA and International Downtown Association (IDA).  John brings over 35 years of business, non-profit, and community development experience to the DBA, including strategic planning, new business development, marketing, finance, project management, and general management. Before coming to the DBA, John served as Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Oakland where he significantly expanded programs and funding, serving low-income seniors and non-profit community facilities. Before entering the nonprofit world, he served in many management and strategy positions in the private sector, including Berkeley-based Loansoft and Nextel Communications. And during the thirty years, he has lived in Berkeley, he has served on the boards Berkeley Public Schools Fund, Berkeley Alliance, Berkeley Partners for Parks, Aurora Theatre, Willard Neighborhood Association, City of Berkeley Disaster and Fire Safety Commission; and served on fundraising committees for the South Branch Library and Berkeley City College.  John currently serves on the board of the Berkeley Chamber.  John has a long-time interest in education, having served as a volunteer teacher's assistant at Willard Middle School, a volunteer instructor with the Presidential Classroom, and entrepreneurship mentor with BUILD.org. John earned an M.B.A. from UCLA and an undergraduate degree in Government from Harvard.

Matthew Jervis, Director of Vitality

Matthew Jervis is a creative strategist and place-branding leader focused on building vibrant, community-driven urban experiences. As Director of Vitality for the Downtown Berkeley Association, he leads marketing, public space activation, and stakeholder engagement—developing campaigns and programs that strengthen local identity, support small businesses, and drive foot traffic.

A former instructor at the Academy of Art University and a 2019 Emerging Leader Fellow with the International Downtown Association, Matthew brings a multidisciplinary background in design, storytelling, and education. He is also the author of How to Entertain, Distract, and Unplug Your Kids.

A longtime Bay Area resident, Matthew lived in Berkeley for over two decades, where he raised his two children and built deep ties to the community he continues to serve.

Javier Suazo, Operations Manager

Born in Honduras and raised on the East Coast, Javier moved to California after graduating from Pace University in New York City with a degree in Political Science. Since his move to San Francisco in 2000, Javier has worn many hats professionally, and worked closely within the public sector.

Javier’s experience includes serving as a Child Support Officer in San Francisco; bartending; recruiting for AfterCollege, Inc.; supervising local operations for the 2020 US Census; Shift Supervisor with StreetPlus at Downtown SF Partnership supporting the Operations Manager and serving as Public Spaces Manager for Downtown SF Partnership, overseeing the day-to-day logistical operations. Javier was part of the original startup crew at Downtown SF Partnership.

Over the years, Javier has volunteered numerous hours to several organizations and charities. He enjoys learning the history of his surroundings and appreciates the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life.

As the Operations Manager assigned to the Downtown Berkeley Association account, Javier will be responsible for all aspects of the program, ensuring Streetplus employees are exceeding customer expectations and the downtown is clean, safe, and friendly for those that live, work and visit downtown Berkeley.