HOLMES' ROLE DOWNTOWN TO CHANGE

METRO

David Holmes, chairman and chief executive officer of Reynolds and Reynolds Co., is expected to announce today that he is stepping down as co-chairman of the non-profit economic development organization, apparently to devote more time to his corporate duties.

Holmes, along with former Mayor Richard Clay Dixon, served as the first co-chairmen of the partnership when it was founded in 1992. Among the captains of Dayton industry, Holmes has perhaps been the biggest booster of downtown development.

``I think this community owes a tremendous debt to David Holmes,'' Dayton City Commissioner Tony Capizzi said.

The partnership is charged with enticing businesses to locate and remain in downtown Dayton.

Holmes will remain on the partnership's board of directors, but needs to devote more time to his company, which has grown rapidly in recent years, Capizzi said.

Reynolds and Reynolds, a business information and management systems company, has seen its sales go from $629 million in 1990 to $808 million in 1994. Since Jan. 1, 1994, the company has purchased 10 smaller firms that have sales of at least $20 million apiece.

``David Holmes has certainly provided extraordinary service to the community in his leadership role at the Downtown Dayton Partnership,'' said Mayor Mike Turner, also co-chairman. ``He has one been one of the business leaders who has had his company commit to Dayton and the downtown area.''

Holmes declined comment until the partnership makes a formal announcement, likely today, said Paul Guthrie, a Reynolds and Reynolds spokesman.

The loss comes after a big victory for the partnership - a victory in which Holmes played a key role.

Along with Partnership President Ed Armentrout, Holmes led a petition drive to form a special improvement district, which will fund the agency with taxes on downtown businesses. The Dayton City Commission approved the tax district in May, keeping the organization running through the turn of the century.