Main Street America is proud to recognize Sheri Stuart, Claudia Loya, and Josh Rogers as the recipients of the 2025 Mary Means Leadership Award. The prestigious award is Main Street America’s top honor recognizing individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the field of comprehensive preservation-based economic development and commercial district revitalization. The 2025 Mary Means Leadership Award was presented today at the closing plenary for the Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Sheri Stuart on a site visit in Spray, Oregon. © Oregon Main Street
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Sheri Stuart with a 2019 Excellence on Main Award Winner in Tillamook, Oregon. © Oregon Main Street
Sheri Stuart
Throughout her 30-year career Oregon Main Street Coordinator, Sheri Stuart, has worked at nearly every level of the Main Street movement: local, national, and statewide. Since becoming the Oregon Main Street Coordinator in 2009, the network has grown to over 100 communities. Her leadership was instrumental in establishing a high-impact Oregon Main Street grant program. To date, the program has awarded over $17 million to support over 100 capital improvement projects, revitalize storefronts, support small businesses, and preserve historic buildings across Oregon.
An exceptional leader, Sheri transforms communities and bridges the rural-urban divide through strategic vision, empathy, inclusivity, approachability, and innovation. She is both a keeper of the movement’s roots and an explorer of its future. Her work continues to inspire communities across the Main Street movement to preserve their unique identities while building vibrant, diverse, and resilient futures.
“Sheri Stuart’s impact on my role as a Main Street Director has been profound,” remarked Rebecca Hollenbeck, Main Street Director at Historic Willamette. “Her influence on our entire program is evident through the vast Main Street knowledge she has introduced to everyone connected to our organization.”
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Claudia Loya at the ribbon cutting for Alamogordo’s small business accelerator. © Alamogordo MainStreet
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Claudia poses in front of Pergolas, a public gathering place in Alamogordo, made with materials donated by local businesses and built by volunteers. © Alamogordo MainStreet
Claudia Loya
As Board President of Alamogordo MainStreet, Claudia Loya has secured significant public and private investment, including a $1.9 million grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department to launch MainStreet Makeover. This transformative initiative is bringing infrastructure improvements to Alamogordo’s downtown, including ADA-compliant sidewalks, street furniture and greenery, and public art installations. Mindful of how this project would affect the community, Claudia developed a business owner construction guide to keep local businesses informed, prepared, and operational throughout construction.
Claudia has tirelessly served Alamogordo MainStreet, regularly closing her own business to dedicate her time to main street projects. Whether leading strategic planning sessions, coordinating with city and county officials, or championing initiatives like Small Business Saturday, Claudia consistently brings people together to drive progress based on a shared vision and purpose.
“Claudia exemplifies the heart of Alamogordo MainStreet, pouring her soul into its mission with over 20,000 volunteer hours and countless personal sacrifices,” said Nolan Ojeda, Executive Director at Alamogordo Main Street. “For her, this work is a calling, one she answers selflessly every day to uplift our businesses, our community, and the future of our downtown.”
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2025 Mary Means Leadership Award recipient Josh Rogers speaks with Dan Forrester of Cadence Bank. © And So We Go Productions
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The Rogers family (Josh, Meaghan, Ellie, and Jack) attend NewTown Macon’s Flannels and Frost event. © Jessica Whitley Photography
Josh Rogers
Though Josh Rogers, NewTown Macon President & CEO, passed unexpectedly in November 2024, his impact will resonate for generations to come through the values he embedded into his community.
Josh believed in providing Macon residents with the tools they needed to build wealth and prosperity in their own backyard. At Historic Macon Foundation, he leveraged tax credits not only to restore historic buildings, but also to build a model for sustainable redevelopment. These efforts led Macon to complete more historic tax credit projects than any other Main Street community in the nation. Josh Rogers’ leadership, innovation, and ceaseless commitment to equity embodies the spirit of the Mary Means Leadership Award.
His legacy is solidified in the foundations of NewTown Macon and into the hearts of everyone who had the privilege to work alongside him. He leaves behind not just a stronger more resilient Main Street, but a stronger, more resilient Main Street movement.