Cleve Ricksecker has worked with downtown Columbus property owners to create and operate special improvement districts (SIDs) since 1999. Currently he is executive director of two SIDs—Capital Crossroads and Discovery—that are responsible for managing the public realm and promoting downtown.

Prior to 1999, Ricksecker was executive director of the Riverfront Commons Corporation, where he created a plan for developing the Scioto and Olentangy riverfronts that is currently being executed by the City of Columbus. He served for six years as executive director of the Short North Business Association, where he directed promotions for the Short North commercial district and forged a consensus among area stakeholders to pursue several long-range goals, including the creation of a SID in the Short North. Before working in the Short North, Ricksecker managed the Columbus Arts Festival for five years.