Main Street Leadership Council Spotlight: Welcoming New Officers and Members, Thanking Outgoing Leaders

Last month, Main Street America (MSA) held the Fall 2023 Coordinator Meeting in Denver, Colorado. The three-day, bi-annual event offered opportunities for Main Street America staff, Board of Directors, and Coordinating Partners to gather and connect. Activities included a walking tour of Denver’s historic lower downtown area, conversations with MSA’s new President and CEO Erin Barnes, and presentations about current projects, including new research tools, government relations priorities, and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem programs.

Between meetings and presentations, we caught up with members of the Leadership Council, who work to support the goals of Main Street America and serve as a liaison between MSA and the network of 46 Coordinating Programs. Keep reading to learn more about the council’s newly elected officers—Mary Helmer Wirth, Chair (Main Street Alabama); Ray Scriber, Vice Chair (Louisiana Main Street); and Breanne Durham, Secretary (Washington Main Street Program)—meet three new members, and join us in thanking outgoing members for their contributions.

Chatting with the Leadership Council’s New Officers

Chair - Mary Helmer Wirth, Main Street Alabama
Mary developed a passion for the Main Street Movement through her service as director at Main Street Emporia. She later served as the Kansas Main Street Coordinator. In 2013, Mary accepted her current role as president/state coordinator at Main Street Alabama, where she successfully relaunched the statewide coordinating program. Mary is a Certified Main Street Manager and has extensive experience as a speaker including at the White House Convening on Rural Placemaking.

Vice-Chair – Ray Scriber, Louisiana Main Street
Ray’s tenure as director at Louisiana Main Street began in 2007. In addition to directing the coordinating program for the state, he also oversees the Certified Local Government Program and serves as a board member for the Microbusiness Network of Louisiana. Ray holds degrees in architecture and business administration, and has supported historic preservation efforts in the state through his role as the planning partner at the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation and educator at the LSU School of Architecture.

Secretary – Breanne Durham, Washington Main Street
Breanne joined the Washington Main Street Program as director in 2015. Breanne’s professional experience also includes service as Executive Director at Beautiful Downtown Lewiston, one of Idaho’s first designated Main Street programs. In 2021, Breanne was named recipient of the Mary Means Leadership Award for her dedication to establishing the program as a mainstay within state government, secure additional funding through Washington’s Main Street tax incentive, and build community among local program directors.

What is a current project or effort of the Leadership Council that you’re excited about?

MHW: I am particularly excited about the planning for coordinators meetings in Birmingham! We have a diverse group of coordinators with a wide range of skills and ideas that I believe will continue to shape the trajectory of Main Street. These meetings are an excellent opportunity for us to collaborate, learn from one another, and build a stronger sense of Main Street in all our communities. I always learn so much and love [spending] time with my colleagues.

RS: Planning successful, helpful, and informative meetings in Birmingham for the staff of all the Coordinating Programs. We have a great planning committee made up of folks from across the country who have really good ideas on agenda topics, activities, and new things to bring to our meetings.

BD: The Leadership Council has been very intentional over the last few months about engaging in MSA’s new CEO onboarding process. We’re excited to support Erin and learn more about her vision. Main Street is really a network – of local programs and coordinating programs – and we’re stronger when we all work together.

Thinking about the local programs in your network: What are one (or two) recent accomplishments that you’d like to shout out?

MHW: Monroeville Main Street: [Named a] 2024 GAMSA Semifinalist! Jasper Main Street: When the design portion of their strategic plan called for trees in the downtown district, they did not let the lack of funding hold them back. Instead, they found a potential funder who shared their passion for downtown and successfully pitched the idea. Thanks to their hard work and persistence, the trees were fully funded and planted within a year.

RS: I’m very proud of Homer Main Street and their initiative to start a Junior Main Street program at Homer High School. The local Main Street director has worked closely with the school principal to develop the Junior Main Street program as a way to fill the gap of the former Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) program. About 30 students are participating in Junior Main Street. They help with activities and events that are put on by Homer Main Street and are planning events of their own to support Homer’s downtown and its small businesses. Also, they are raising funds so that they can attend the Main Street Now Conference in Birmingham!

BD: This is less of a discreet project and more of a trend – I’m especially excited about how many of our Main Streets are doing more intentional outreach into their communities. Whether it’s inviting college students downtown, building partnerships with Hispanic organizations, working through schools to foster youth entrepreneurship, or creating volunteer programs that engage new people – it’s “lots of little” that is helping people feel more connected.

In ten words or less, share something outside of work that’s bringing you joy right now.

MHW: Family! I am blessed with two wonderful sons, 11 siblings, and the best husband, plus a sweet dog named Booger.

RS: LSU Fighting Tigers football and travelling to fun places.

BD: Hosting a block party with our neighbors!

Welcoming the Council’s Newest Members

From left: Emily Kurash Casey, John Bry, and Thomas Gregory.

Emily Kurash Casey
Director of Community Programs/Minnesota Main Street Statewide Coordinator at Rethos, Minnesota

As the Director of Community Programs and Minnesota Main Street Statewide Coordinator at Rethos, Emily Kurash Casey focuses on growing Rethos’ educational offerings, community engagement efforts, and Main Street programs and resources throughout the state. Previously, Emily was with the Main Street program in Winona, Minnesota, where she served on the various committees from 2014-2016, and as the program director from January 2017-June 2019. Prior to her time in Minnesota, Emily spent four years in economic development efforts focused on downtown betterment, agriculture, and young professionals in Decorah, Iowa. She has also worked as a theater/arts administrator and teaching artist with students in Minnesota and Iowa, and has spent significant time working with rural non-profits as a board member and facilitator, leading programs focused on revitalizing historic spaces, activating community members and volunteers, and fostering cross-collaboration between municipalities, businesses, and artists.

John Bry
Program Coordinator at Main Street Oakland County, Michigan

John Bry has 30 years of professional experience in Main Street, historic preservation, community development, and heritage tourism. He has worked with Main Street programs in four Midwestern states and Pennsylvania. He serves as the Program Coordinator for the nation's only countywide Coordinating Main Street Program in Oakland County, Michigan, located in metro Detroit. John plays a crucial role in growing the organization’s network of communities and districts, providing organization support to programs, and increasing the capacity of local leaders through professional development opportunities and mentorship. He is a Certified Main Street Manager (CMSM) and is the recipient of the 2023 Mary Means Leadership Award.

Thomas Gregory
State Coordinator at Mississippi Main Street Association

Thomas Gregory is the Executive Director for the Mississippi Main Street Association, where he serves as state coordinator and leads the organization's administrative, advocacy, and development efforts. A certified community planner, Gregory previously worked for the Small Town Center at Mississippi State University and as the chief administrative officer for the City of Greenwood, Mississippi. Thomas' involvement with Main Street began as a member of the board of directors for Main Street Greenwood, a position he held for eight years. Gregory received a Master of City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and both an MBA and a BBA from Mississippi State University. He currently serves as a board member for the Mississippi Heritage Trust and Keep Mississippi Beautiful, and as a member of the Greenwood Planning Commission. Thomas, his wife, and their two children live in his hometown of Greenwood.

Thanking Outgoing Members

In July, three members of the Leadership Council completed their terms. Michael Wagler, State Coordinator at Iowa Main Street, termed off as Chair. Michael will continue to serve as Chair Emeritus and representative to the MSA Board of Directors for an additional year. Laura Krisov, Manager at Michigan Main Street, completed her tenure as Chair Emeritus and representative to the MSA Board of Directors, and Gayla Roten, State Director at Missouri Main Street Connection, exited the council after years of enthusiastic service.

“Laura and Gayla have provided years of dedicated leadership within the Main Street America Coordinating Program network. On behalf of the Leadership Council, I thank them both for the impact they have made,” said Michael Wagler, Main Street Iowa State Coordinator and Chair Emeritus of the Main Street Leadership Council. “We are also excited to welcome Emily, John, and Thomas to the Leadership Council. Each will bring new perspectives, energy, and a healthy transition of leadership.”