Did you know that five members of the Main Street America Board of Directors have experience working for local Main Street programs? Their on-the-ground experience provides crucial insights that guide them in their work on the board. We spoke to John Mitterholzer, Deshea Agee, Michael Wagler, Chris Wilson, and Mary Helmer Worth about their time at the local level and how those experiences shape their perspectives today.

John Mitterholzer, Nashua Main Street program (New Hampshire)

Being a Main Street director was the most challenging job I have ever had. There are so many different constituencies that you serve, and you are constantly putting out fires and solving problems. Every day is different. I enjoyed being a director because I got to work with so many different people in the community, no day was ever the same as the day before, and I felt like I was making a difference.

I have great respect for any staff member of a Main Street program. These are hard jobs that require an enormous number of skills. As a board member at Main Street America, this helps me focus on how MSA is supporting statewide programs so they are strong and can provide the necessary support to local programs and their staff. 

Deshea Agee, King Drive Main Street (Wisconsin) 

I applied for the Main Street designation for the King Drive Business Improvement District because I saw that the additional resources and support could help drive growth and acceptance of the work being done in the business district. I enjoyed leading efforts to change the narrative and image people had of our Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive from being blighted to becoming a vibrant and inviting place to shop, work, play, and live. 

I faced many naysayers; some did not believe the vision of ​“the Best King Drive in the Nation” was possible. I faced roadblocks to success when things did not go exactly as I expected. My local experience gives me insight into challenges and opportunities that urban Main Street districts face. These insights help inform input and recommendations that I can share with the Board and executive leadership of Main Street America. 

Michael Wagler, Bloomfield Main Street (Iowa)

When I was a sophomore in high school, I was encouraged to join my hometown’s Design Committee by a former teacher. During my time with my local Main Street program, I was able to get involved with statewide Main Street Iowa trainings, meet the Main Street Iowa staff, and gain a better understanding of opportunities for professional growth in this field. 

Working for a local Main Street program became a foundational experience for me to better understand the civic process, the opportunities that exist in my community, and the challenges that exist in a community that become hurdles for local leaders to overcome.

Chris Wilson, Polytechnic Heights Main Street Program (Texas); The Partnership for Warrenton (Virginia); Stockyards City Main Street (Oklahoma); Main Street McMinnville (Tennessee); Downtown Bartlesville Inc. (Oklahoma)

It seemed like Main Street was made for me. I loved working at the local level because everyone could see the change happen in plain sight. Collaborating with various volunteers and other organizations to achieve a common mission and strategic goal was exhilarating, although it was lots of work. There were many challenges, but you don’t sign up for Main Street if you don’t like a challenge. I seemed to be able to see what a downtown or commercial district could be in the future, and with the help of the stakeholders, figure out a plan to get there together. I was fortunate enough to help them achieve their goals.

Having a deep local perspective helps me make decisions at the national level about how our policies affect the local and state programs. I advocate for our board members to visit local programs and, if at all possible, experience what they are doing there. That is who we serve.

Mary Helmer Wirth, Emporia Main Street (Kansas)

I loved that we were helping small businesses and making an impact on our community – it was a wonderful time in my Main Street career. Funding for the program was a real need in those early days; we worked hard to ​“sell” the promise of Main Street, and when we had statistics to back up what we knew could happen, people began to believe that they could make a difference. 

My local experience informs my work every day! I know what it was like to work with a small budget, learned how to raise funds and build relationships to impact the district as well as the entire community I called home.