A DBAT is a Downtown Business Advisory Team. Its purpose is to assist communities to identify issues and opportunities that will lead to enhancing the vitality of their downtown areas. The teams are made up of professionals familiar with the management and marketing of downtowns. The team members serve on a pro-bono basis with the fee charged by Downtown New Jersey covering administrative costs and preparing the final report of the team.

Typically, a team will gather and first meet with community leaders to orient themselves to community. They then will spend approximately a half day touring the downtown area in question and recording their impressions. The team then meets and coordinates their findings and gives an initial report to community representatives. DNJ's executive director then sends a written report to the community shortly after the team's visit.

Michael Redpath has been part of DBATs for Barnegat, Toms River, Palymyra, Riverside, Sussex, Vernon, and Kenilworth. "I find participating in DBATs rewarding from many perspectives," commented Redpath. "First, I feel I have an obligation to contribute time to DNJ and to communities throughout New Jersey. Secondly, serving on the teams hones my observation skills in analyzing community strengths and needs. And, finally, I learn from fellow team members and from the community leaders," he concluded.

Redpath is on the Board of Directors of Downtown New Jersey and chairs the organization's Government Relations Committee.