Our Team

Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Chair:
Jeremy Arthur, IOM, CCE, Director, Government and Economic Development Institute, Auburn University Outreach

Vice Chair:
Tina Naremore Jones, Development, University of West Alabama

Chair, Development Committee:
Alex Jones, Senior Managing Director and President, United Bank Community Development

Chair, Governance Committee:
David Walker, Non-Profit Consultant

Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair:
Dennis Fain, Retired, Jackson Thornton/Main Street Wetumpka Treasurer

Secretary:
Tim Blair, CCIM, CPM, Partner, Shannon Waltchack

MEMBERS

Natalie Arendall, Program Manager, Daniel Foundation

Alex Flachsbart, Founder and CEO, Opportunity Alabama

Charles Goodrich, Managing Director of Timberline Venture Investments

Alex Jones, President UB Community Development, United Bank

LaQuisha Buggs, Energy Services Manager, Alabama Power

Bakari Miller, Vice President Business Development, EDPA

Cristy Moody, Executive Vice President, Walker Area Community Foundation

Jim Page, Executive Vice President, MartinFed

Candace Johnson, Tourism Director for Selma and Dallas County, The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development

Paul Pinyan, Executive Director, Alabama Farmers Federation

Dr. Joe'l Lewis Billingsley, Associate Professor, University of South Alabama

Angie Pierce, Vice President, Operations, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

Ashley Russell, TCF and Corporate Giving Specialist, Blue Cross Blue Shield

Joshua Vick, Business Development Lead, Spire

George Talbot, Sr. Vice President, Volkert, Inc.

Jason Fondren, Principal Planner, KPS Group

Cecil Williams, Regulatory Compliance Executive, Regions Bank

Heather Wright, Regional Manager, Alabama SBDC Network

Ex Officio Members

Kenneth Boswell, Director, Alabama Dept. of Economic & Community Affairs (ADECA), represented by Ashley Toole, Deputy Director, ADECA

Ellen McNair, Secretary of Commerce, Alabama Department of Commerce represented by Eddie Postell, Director of Small Business Advocacy

State Sen. Clyde Chambliss

State Rep. Anthony Daniels

Lisa Jones, Executive Director Alabama Historical Commission represented by Paige Thomas, Certified Local Government (CLG) Coordinator/Community Preservation Grants Coordinator/Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage, Alabama Historical Commission

Scott Farmer, Executive Director, South East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission

Mary Jackson, Education and ACE Program Coordinator, Alabama League of Municipalities

Clara Tapplin, Programs Manager, Alabama Association of RC&D Councils

Jo Jo Terry, CTIS, IOM, Digital Marketing Director/Gulf Coast Regional Director, Alabama Tourism Department

Karla Eden, Director Liason, Anniston Main Street Executive Director

Tena King, Director of City Services, City of Gadsden

Staff

Mary Helmer Wirth - President/State Coordinator
Trisha Black - Assistant State Coordinator
Mariah Montgomery - Program Development Specialist
Jennifer Schuette - Donor Relations and Administrative Manager

Learn More

Quick Facts

Our Main Streets tell us who we are and how the past has shaped us.

Main Streets help keep profits in town.

From 2014-2023, over $1 billion in public and private money was invested in Alabama's Main Street districts.

Main Street is a powerful network of linked communities.

From 2014-2023, Main Street Alabama communities reported a cumulative total of 4,530 net new jobs.

Property investment in Main Street districts generates millions in taxes for state and local governments.

Main Street is a proven strategy for revitalization.

Our Main Streets are places of shared memory where people still come together to live, work and play.

The Main Street Approach is an important economic development tool for historic preservation in Alabama.

There are 32 Network Main Street Alabama communities in the state.

Main Streets are prominent employment centers.

Main Street Alabama is a non-profit organization which stresses public-private partnerships, community engagement, and strategies that create jobs, spark investment, attract visitors, and spur growth.

Main Street builds on the authentic history, culture, and attributes of specific places, to bring sustainable change.

Main Street Alabama was launched in 2013.

For every dollar Alabama puts into the Main Street program, $13.36 is paid back to state coffers in sales taxes.

Main Street is a unique preservation based economic development program.

Alabama has 34 Designated Main Street Alabama communities.