Norma Ramirez Miess seamlessly integrates the value of her cultural assets, entrepreneurial spirit, strategic approach, and love for connecting with people into her work that preserves and enhances the heart of communities across the country. Through her 25+ year journey in Main Street as a visionary leader at the local level in Elgin, IL and national level with Main Street America, she has become a trusted partner and respected thought leader in the Main Street movement.

Norma is now sharing her own visionary and strategic leadership with communities through her own consulting practice, Norma Ramirez Miess, LLC. This practice allows her to deepen her engagement in areas close to her heart, including empowering leaders to succeed and helping organizations expand community engagement and impact.

Steven J. Hoffman, Ph.D. is a professor of history, director of the Bollinger Center for Regional History, and coordinator of the Historic Preservation program at Southeast Missouri State University. At Southeast Missouri State University, he teaches classes in Historic Preservation, Architectural History, and the Built Environment. Steven is a graduate of the National Main Street Center’s Certification Institute and has given numerous workshops and presentations on Main Street and Historic Preservation topics. He serves on the boards of Missouri Main Street Connection and Old Town Cape, a local Main Street organization. He earned a Master’s degree in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University and a Ph.D. in History from Carnegie Mellon University.

Phil created his business Storyville a few years ago. At Storyville he interviews, writes, takes photos, records and produces videos, hosts podcasts, builds and manages websites, and manages social media accounts. Phil enjoys working in the different communities he visits and letting people tell their own stories while making them feel seen and heard. He believes everyone should sit down with someone they don’t know and ask them, “what is your story?”.

Dana, a Principal at SFS, has dedicated her career to the appropriate treatment of historic properties including preservation, restoration and rehabilitation. Her experience also includes preservation planning, materials conservation, and building condition assessments. Recognizing the cultural significance historic buildings represent within their communities, Dana works with property owners to evaluate the potential value of their existing building. She helps make decisions on possible reuse and the creation of functional spaces for contemporary use and future generations. She takes the time to understand each property she works on, delving into the history, significance, and construction of the building before developing comprehensive solutions.

Robin Jarvis is an experienced higher education professional with an extensive background in preparing students for successful careers. With almost two decades of experience, Robin has worked to integrate experiential and project-based learning into academic programs, effectively blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. Certified by the Society for Experiential Education, she is dedicated to fostering enriching and hands-on learning experiences. Throughout her career, Robin has supported initiatives that promote collaboration and practical skill-building, while also fostering strong community ties. Her active involvement with organizations such as the Canton Main Street Association, the Lewis Street Playhouse, and the Canton Area Arts Council underscores a commitment to community engagement, enriching both the academic environment and the broader local community.

Kristy Horner is currently President of the Canton Main Street Association in Canton, Missouri. As a former public educator for almost three decades, Kristy has spent the past few years of her retirement as a dedicated community volunteer with Canton Main Street, Kiwanis, PEO, and other organizations as needed. She and her husband purchased a dilapidated building in the downtown business district in 2021 and renovated it in the hopes of bringing new business and economic growth to their historic downtown. Kristy understands the importance of historic revitalization, support from city officials, and collaboration among community resources in small towns. She along with others on the Canton Main Street board and community volunteers have worked to create and fund a local facade grant program, completed beautification projects with seasonal planters in the downtown area, organized community events to promote tourism, and recently opened a new Visitor’s Center in downtown Canton. With her background in education she fully supports and is committed to the collaboration among college students and the Canton Main Street board of volunteers.

Kai Maurice is a rising Junior at Culver-Stockton College. He is studying Business Management with minors in finance and communications. At Culver-Stockton, Mr. Maurice is on scholarship to play soccer; he is the philanthropy chair of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, is a member of the Wildcat Sports Broadcasting Network, is the Interfraternity Council’s Vice President of Recruitment, and is a part of the Culver-Stockton Theatre Department. Mr. Maurice, in his Sophomore year, led his team to develop a skatepark in Canton, Missouri. He has acquired the support of Mayor Fretwell and the Canton Parks Board in the development of the project. He is passionate about creating a community hub in Canton to build a strong relationship between the students of Culver-Stockton and the residents of Canton. Mr. Maurice is excited to work on the development of the skatepark and continue his education in project management.

Brad Temme, PE, Assistant City Administrator for the City of St. Charles, manages the Development Services group at the City of St. Charles which includes Engineering, Community Development, and Economic Development. This group is actively involved in the marketing, development, and construction of the St. Charles City Riverfront. Throughout his 14 year career with the City, Brad has worked on many cornerstone projects in St. Charles including the Streets of St. Charles, University Commons, Boeing’s site expansion, the construction of the 94 water tower, Fifth Street reconstruction, the Cole Creek Flood Control project and construction of the granular activated carbon treatment system at the Elm Point Treatment plant.

Dan Mann, PE, serves as the Director of Engineering for the City of St. Charles and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Missouri. Since joining the City in 2017, he has helped navigate major infrastructure projects that balance modernization with historic preservation in a community dating back to the 18th century. Before that, he worked in private engineering consulting and has worked in the Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis markets.

Zach Tusinger, JD, AICP, is the Community Development Director for the City of St. Charles, where he oversees planning & zoning, historic preservation, code enforcement, building, GIS, and other key functions. With extensive experience in municipal planning and development, Zach and his team are responsible for making sure St. Charles continues to be a great place to live, work, and visit. Prior to St. Charles, he served as Planning and Building Director for the City of Calistoga, California. He holds a Masters of Urban Planning from the University of Kansas, a JD from Saint Louis University.

Sarah Angst is the Executive Director of Downtown Lebanon. With a background in construction, small business ownership, and downtown property investment, she brings hands-on experience to Main Street revitalization. Sarah holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in History, combining practical expertise with a strong foundation in community development and historic preservation.

Danny True is a lifelong resident of Lebanon, Missouri and serves as the president and co-owner of True Construction Inc., a family-owned business since 1978. Specializing in industrial, commercial, and medical construction projects, Danny has established a reputation for excellence in the construction industry. He is a dedicated community advocate and has been a board member of the Lebanon Missouri Main Street since 2023, contributing to the revitalization of Downtown Lebanon. Along with his wife, April, Danny is the co-founder of The 229 Project, where his passion for preserving and enhancing downtown areas is evident. In addition to his role in construction, Danny is the owner of several investment properties in Downtown Lebanon including True Swing Golf. He also serves on the board at First State Community Bank as a Lebanon Market board director. His love for downtowns, architecture, and helping others is matched by his dedication to volunteering and community service. Danny has been married to April True for 31 years, and together they have built a life centered on family, community, and shared passions.

April True is a dynamic entrepreneur and a dedicated community advocate, with a diverse portfolio of businesses and community projects that showcase her passion and expertise. She is the proud owner of True Wellness, True Swing Golf, and multiple downtown investment properties. Along with her husband, Danny, April is the co-founder of The 229 Project, where her love for preserving history and downtown architecture is evident in her efforts to enhance the vibrancy of Downtown Lebanon, Missouri. Her multifaceted background includes small business ownership, where she excels as a traditional naturopath, specialized kinesiologist, and a board-certified health and wellness coach. April’s diverse expertise also spans construction, interior design, farming, and volunteering, reflecting her commitment to making a positive impact in both her professional and personal endeavors. A lifelong resident of Laclede County, Missouri, April has been married to Danny True for 31 years and is the proud mother of two young men, Lane and Logan. April’s unwavering commitment to her community, combined with her ability to wear many hats, makes her a truly inspiring figure.

Amy Supple has been championing small towns and tourism for decades. Based in Chillicothe, Missouri, the Home of Sliced Bread, Amy has dedicated her career to celebrating unique stories while fostering community development. As the Executive Director of the Chillicothe Convention and Visitors Bureau, President of the Missouri Highway 36 Heritage Alliance, and Past-President of the Missouri Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, she has played a pivotal role in regional and state tourism initiatives. Amy embraces the challenge of ‘other duties as assigned’ and is a proud inaugural member of the Main Street Chillicothe Promotions Committee. True to form, Amy’s favorite hobby is travel, bringing her ‘crazy aunt energy’ to a pub or pizzeria in small towns near and far.

Liz Haynes, a Cape Girardeau native, is the Executive Director of Old Town Cape. Liz started her career in St. Louis, where she began working at the American Red Cross as a Development Associate and was then promoted to Development Specialist, working on event planning, major gift and corporate fundraising, third-party events, planned giving, and program development. She launched the first young professionals group, Club Red, during her five-year tenure at the Red Cross. Liz then began her tenure in higher education fundraising at Maryville University in St. Louis, where she served as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and was then promoted to Director of Special Programs. In Fall 2019, Liz returned to her roots in Cape Girardeau to take the position of Executive Director of Old Town Cape. In this capacity, Liz is responsible for fundraising, media relations, public relations, business recruitment, community relations, strategic planning, high-level operations, budget oversight, and managing a team of four. Old Town Cape is a Great American Main Street Award-winning, fully accredited Main Street organization, which is responsible for the revitalization of downtown Cape Girardeau. In her free time, Liz performs in community theater shows with the River City Players, loves to travel, thrift shop, see live music and theater, and spend time with her family and friends

Dr. Elizabeth Hornbeck is the historic tax credit coordinator within the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). She is an architectural historian by training and has worked at SHPO since February 2023. Previously she taught architectural history at the University of Missouri for 18 years.

Deborah is a seasoned media and marketing professional with over three decades of experience leading advertising, publishing, event, and multimedia strategy for regional and national media companies. Her career includes leadership roles at Missouri Life Magazine, GateHouse Media, Columbia Daily Tribune, and Gannett, where she consistently delivered revenue growth, launched innovative marketing solutions, and spearheaded successful community events and specialty publications. She has served as Publisher, Director of Advertising, and Special Project Manager, leading teams, developing strategic partnerships, and implementing data-driven sales processes. Her accolades include multiple awards from the Missouri Press Association and Missouri Advertising Managers Association, as well as recognition for new creative advertising concepts and excellence in newspaper publishing. Deborah has also played an active role in community development, serving on various tourism, heritage, and civic boards, including the Boonslick Area Tourism Council and Fayette Main Street Board. A graduate of Stephens College, she brings a passion for local engagement and storytelling to every role she takes on. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Deborah was inducted into the Iowa Swimming Hall of Fame in 1990. She and her sister recently co-authored and published a novel titled Drawer 345, adding “published author” to her list of achievements.

Evan Wood is an Associate Publisher and part owner of Missouri Life magazine. Before rejoining the family business, Evan spent his career in Los Angeles and Chicago working variously as a magazine and literary editor, content marketing consultant, and freelance writer.

A lifelong Missourian, Stephen Foutes spent 10 years as a newspaper reporter and editor in Centralia and Jefferson City, before being hired as the travel guide editor at the Missouri Division of Tourism (MDT) in 2009. He held varying roles at MDT through 2017, when he was named marketing director at the Missouri State Medical Association. In March 2020, he returned to the travel industry when he was appointed MDT’s director. MDT’s staff is a dedicated team of marketers, communicators, researchers, program managers, legislative and financial specialists, and welcome center ambassadors focused on promoting Missouri as one of the country’s top travel destinations.

Dave Eames lives and works in Downtown Lee’s Summit, Missouri where he started Fossil Forge in 2002. Today, the crew at Fossil Forge builds and installs a wide array of signage, murals, and public art. They specialize in traditional sign making and painting, including neon and marquee. He is a former board president for Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street and the current chair of the city’s Cultural Commission.

Ben Wine lives and works in Downtown Lee’s Summit, Missouri. He joined Fossil Forge in 2017 after a career in restaurant development and sign making and design. Ben is the current board president of Downtown Lee’s Summit Main Street. He also sits on their Downtown CID board.

Tomie Walker is the Executive Director of Main Street Chillicothe, where she has spent the past three years fostering community pride, historic preservation, and downtown revitalization. With a background in advertising, publishing, and business management—all in the for-profit sector—she brings a creative and strategic approach to Main Street’s mission. As a resident of Chillicothe for 11 years, Tomie is proud to call this vibrant community home. Chillicothe has a population of 9,000, with a historic downtown spanning 32 blocks across two districts. Main Street Chillicothe—an accredited Main Street program—continues to thrive, and is celebrating 25 years of downtown preservation and progress. Tomie is passionate about preserving Chillicothe’s stories while creating a downtown that is inviting, innovative, and full of opportunities for future generations.

Danelle O’Connell is the Executive Director of Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc. (HDLI), where she proudly leads efforts to preserve, promote, and revitalize downtown Liberty for nearly four years. With over 15 years of experience in the Main Street movement, Danelle is deeply committed to fostering vibrant, thriving communities through historic preservation, economic development, and community engagement. Under her leadership, HDLI—an accredited Main Street program—celebrates 20 years of success in 2025, continuing to enhance Liberty’s unique charm and economic vitality. Danelle’s passion for Main Street lies in connecting people to place, empowering local businesses, and ensuring downtown remains a welcoming destination for generations to come.

Zoey Warren is the President of Main Street Main-iacs and this year’s Main Street Chillicothe intern. A 2025 graduate of Chillicothe R-II High School, Zoey has been an active Main-iac for two years, bringing creativity and leadership to downtown initiatives. Passionate about the arts and storytelling, Zoey is involved in band, choir, theater, painting, and FBLA. In 2024 she earned 1st place at the state level and 6th at nationals for a public service announcement project she scripted, filmed, and edited. Zoey will attend Missouri State University in Springfield where she will be a member of the Centennial Leader’s program. Through this program she will be growing her leadership skills all while taking an active part in campus life. She is excited to use her creativity and leadership to make a lasting impact wherever she goes!

Taylor Moore is the Historic Preservation Planner for the City of St. Charles, Missouri. Taylor serves as the professional staff for the Landmarks Board by preparing reports regarding permitted work in local historic districts and providing training to Board members. He also administers the Facade Grant Program for the City by preparing legal documents, maintaining a budget, and assisting property owners through various stages of compliance. In addition to these tasks, Taylor also serves as the professional staff for the Main Street Special Business District Board by acting as a liaison between the Board and various City departments. Taylor holds a Masters of Public Administration with an emphasis on Community Planning from the University of Illinois.

Since March 2024, Jonathan Stone has worked for Main Street America as a Program Officer where he delivers and expands the reach of Main Street America’s (MSA) technical assistance and consulting services throughout the Main Street network. Jonathan brings 20 years of experience in design and diverse place-based community revitalization to his role including seven years as Executive Director for Downtown Oregon City Association (DOCA), a 2018 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) winner, and three years as director of Creative Flagstaff (CF), the city’s lead art, science, and culture agency. He has a background in architecture with a Bachelor of Architecture from Boston Architectural College. He also holds an MS-MBA from Boston University focusing on marketing, information systems, and nonprofit management. While currently enjoying a reprieve from board service, he has served on multiple boards and commissions focused on tourism, historic preservation, historic site redevelopment, establishment of a National Heritage Area, business advocacy, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

Lyndsey M. Baxter is a dynamic leader and advocate for downtown revitalization, serving as the Executive Director of Downtown Excelsior Partnership, Inc. (DEP) in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. With a passion for economic development, placemaking, and community engagement, she has played a pivotal role in transforming Downtown Excelsior Springs into a thriving destination for residents, visitors, and entrepreneurs. Under her leadership, DEP has launched innovative marketing campaigns, impactful public improvement projects, and signature events that drive economic growth while preserving the district’s historic charm. She has successfully secured funding for wayfinding signage, streetscape enhancements, and public art installations, ensuring that Excelsior Springs remains a vibrant and welcoming place for all. Lyndsey is also deeply involved in event development and tourism initiatives, spearheading large-scale experiences such as the BBQ & Fly-In on the River, Witch Way to the Wine, and Christmas in Excelsior. Her expertise in strategic event planning, sponsorship acquisition, and economic impact measurement has positioned DEP’s events as key drivers of local business success.

Nathan Rauh is an architect and developer with 30 years of experience in the design, real estate development, and construction industry. He has practiced architecture and worked as a developer with unique expertise in mixed-use, multi-family, and senior housing projects in urban and Main Street settings. Currently he leads Naismith-Allen, Inc., a boutique firm providing Planning, Development, Architecture, and Design services focused on infill, Main Street, Adaptive-use, and Historic Preservation projects.

Gus Wagner is a five-time certified social media strategist, marketer, and speaker with more than two decades of experience in branding, communications, and digital strategy. As the founder of The Rocket Group, he crafts compelling messages and executes effective marketing campaigns for businesses, organizations, and governments across North America. He is also a former chief of staff for the Missouri State Senate and a retired amateur national champion hockey coach. A passionate advocate for #JCMO and Missouri, Gus serves on the board of Downtown Jefferson City, Inc., where he actively contributes to the community’s economic growth and revitalization. His expertise has played a key role in launching successful initiatives that benefit both businesses and residents. Gus is known for delivering insightful, engaging, and action-oriented presentations that help audiences navigate the evolving landscape of marketing, social media, and community development.

Dana Thomas is the owner of BOLD based in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, a multi-dimensional business partner in B2B and B2C growth. What started 16 years ago during the great recession has become a multi-million dollar agency with clients in 20+ states, Canada and Europe. They handle all things related to internal culture, lead generation, marketing strategy, and crisis communications. The BOLD team leads organizations to develop and embrace change to positively move culture, profits and market share.

Brian is a passionate advocate for thriving local communities who grew up in the charming Gold Rush town of Placerville, California. As an MBA research project at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, he sought to tackle “the local marketing problem”. As the founder and CEO of Locable, he is also the author of “Marketing 3-4-5™: The Business Owner’s Guide to Effective Local Marketing in 15-Minutes or Less.” Locable’s software powers nearly 200 local media websites, over a hundred Main Street Programs, and thousands of small businesses across the US. Brian and his family recently concluded a multi-year cross-country tour in which he taught Marketing 3-4-5™ to small businesses through workshops nationwide and now resides with his family of 7 in Middle Tennessee.

Phil created his business Storyville a few years ago. At Storyville he interviews, writes, takes photos, records and produces videos, hosts podcasts, builds and manages websites, and manages social media accounts. Phil enjoys working in the different communities he visits and letting people tell their own stories while making them feel seen and heard. He believes everyone should sit down with someone they don’t know and ask them, “what is your story?”.

After working on Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Sumner Nesbitt made a special trip to Marceline to experience the real-life inspiration behind it all. Just two months later, he found himself calling Marceline home and working at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum. Since then, Sumner has been honored to join the Hyperion Historical Alliance, a authorized group of Disney historians and scholars. Along with Kaye Malins, he’s had the wonderful opportunity to share their Disney stories with guests in Disney locations throughout America and abroad on the Disney Cruise Line.

Kaye’s life has been nothing short of magical ever since she met Walt Disney at the young age of 8. Her family and the Disney family soon became close friends, with her father and Walt even becoming business partners. From that moment on, Kaye has worked to keep the spirit of Disney alive and thriving in Marceline. Whether it’s organizing events that bring thousands of visitors to town or co-founding the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, Kaye has devoted herself to preserving the magic and history that has meant so much to her and so many others.

Since March 2024, Jonathan Stone has worked for Main Street America as a Program Officer where he delivers and expands the reach of Main Street America’s (MSA) technical assistance and consulting services throughout the Main Street network. Jonathan brings 20 years of experience in design and diverse place-based community revitalization to his role including seven years as Executive Director for Downtown Oregon City Association (DOCA), a 2018 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) winner, and three years as director of Creative Flagstaff (CF), the city’s lead art, science, and culture agency. He has a background in architecture with a Bachelor of Architecture from Boston Architectural College. He also holds an MS-MBA from Boston University focusing on marketing, information systems, and nonprofit management. While currently enjoying a reprieve from board service, he has served on multiple boards and commissions focused on tourism, historic preservation, historic site redevelopment, establishment of a National Heritage Area, business advocacy, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

Brian is a passionate advocate for thriving local communities who grew up in the charming Gold Rush town of Placerville, California. As an MBA research project at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, he sought to tackle “the local marketing problem”. As the founder and CEO of Locable, he is also the author of “Marketing 3-4-5™: The Business Owner’s Guide to Effective Local Marketing in 15-Minutes or Less.” Locable’s software powers nearly 200 local media websites, over a hundred Main Street Programs, and thousands of small businesses across the US. Brian and his family recently concluded a multi-year cross-country tour in which he taught Marketing 3-4-5™ to small businesses through workshops nationwide and now resides with his family of seven in Middle Tennessee.

Keith has been working to revitalize downtown communities since the mid-1990s and currently serves as the State Community Development Director for Missouri Main Street Connection. Prior to his role as Executive Director for Downtown Excelsior Partnership, he served as a board member and officer from 2006 to 2010. His downtown experience encompasses commercial district revitalization, grant writing, funding strategies, project management, tourism marketing, customer service experience, and community engagement. While in Excelsior Springs, Keith helped lead the effort to create a Community Improvement District to aid in the further expansion of tourism marketing and economic development in the Main Street district. Keith also has over 20 years of experience in hospitality management.

Logan Breer is a native Missourian passionate about local communities, experiences, and people. Originally from Barnhart, Missouri, he grew up knowing local small businesses matter from his time working in Kimmswick, Missouri at The Blue Owl. Through his work with Missouri Main Street Connection as the Marketing & Communications Manager, he is in tune with the good, the bad, and the successes of local Main Street efforts to promote their organization and community.

Val Droege is a wife, mother, small business owner, and Main Street Executive Director who calls Pacific home. In her professional life, as the executive director of the Pacific Partnership, Val brings a unique blend of creativity, business acumen, community involvement, and an unyielding commitment to fostering positive change in the Pacific Partnership. Additionally, she is the founder, owner, and operator of AquariusMediaPro, a successful screen-printing company. Her strong sense of belonging and tireless dedication is not just a testament to her role as a nurturer but also a testament to her leadership abilities. Her professional expertise, combined with a rich tapestry of personal experiences, set her on a path toward success in supporting the Pacific community.

Kelly O’Malley is the Director of Tourism for the City of Pacific, a role she has proudly held for the past three years. With a passion for hospitality, events, tourism, and entertainment, Kelly brings a wealth of experience to her position. Her career and love for entertainment began in the Entertainment Department at Six Flags St. Louis, where she started as a seasonal employee before later working as a full-time Entertainment Supervisor. Kelly has always been driven by the joy of bringing people together through engaging experiences seen in her work with Six Flags where she did many things including creating shows to designing haunted houses. Beyond her roles, she is deeply committed to community service—she serves as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), teaches at her church school, and co-manages the St. John’s Helping Hands Food Pantry. As Tourism Director, she oversees the Red Cedar Inn Museum and Visitor Center on Historic Route 66 in Pacific, MO, where she enjoys learning and sharing the rich history of this charming town. Kelly thrives on connecting with people and organizing events that foster community and celebration.