SF hires ‘playczar’ to boost economy

SANTA FE — Santa Fe has hired a self-described “playczar” as its new economic development director.

Matthew Brown is a veteran of Bay Area startups and Fortune 500 companies, according to a news release from the city. He’s worked as a senior executive at LeapFrog — which creates gaming systems and educational toys for kids — and consulted for Toys R Us and Disney.

His Linkedin profile says that one of his superpowers is “applying the science of play to make our lives and world happier, healthier, and more harmonious ... hence the moniker, playczar.” But Brown says in the city news release he’s ready to get to work tapping Santa Fe’s “world-class economic potential.”

“Our goal is an economy that works for Santa Fe next year, and in the next 5, 25, and 100 years. That’s going to take diversity, resilience, and access to greater opportunity for greater numbers of people,” he said.

Brown has previous ties to Santa Fe. He lived in the City Different after graduating law school and was married there. Brown will be paid a salary of $117,302 per year.