Debra Torres has joined the Downtown Partnership of Sarasota as executive director.

She has served as director of public housing for both the Illinois and Oklahoma Departments of Housing and Urban Development.

Torres currently sits on the board of directors of the Washington, D.C.-based Partnering for Community Transformation, Inc.

She will work four days a week at the Downtown Partnership office and one day a week at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce office. Torres can be reached at 951-2656.