Meet Main Street Elizabethton’s Board of Directors
Published 5:11 pm Wednesday, July 8, 2020
- Photo Contributed Some of Main Street Elizabethton’s Board of Directors. Left to Right (back row): Richard Barker, Jeff Treadway, Jamie Kerr, Joe Alexander and Chris Cannon. Left to Right (front row): Patti Whitson, Courtney Washburn, Karen Hitchcock, Frankie Bailey and Cheri Tinney.
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Preservation and revitalization are two key concepts in the mission statement of Main Street Elizabethton.
As detailed in their mission statement, the goal of this organization is to look to the future, while embracing the past of Elizabethton’s Downtown.
Prior to the program’s official kick-off, a steering committee with sub groups was held with regular meetings. Starting in November 2019, a month after hiring the Program Director, formal committees were established and the Board of Directors was formed.
The Main Street Board of Directors consists of officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer), committee chairs (Promotion, Design, Economic Vitality, Organization, and Merchants), and two at-large members. The Director of the program, who reports to the City of Elizabethton’s Economic and Planning Director, is Courtney Washburn.
“The purpose of the board is to represent the voices of the community and work together to elevate and grow our downtown,” explained Washburn.
According to Washburn, the board of directors has the authority to make program decisions and conduct projects. She explained that the program is funded by membership fees.
The board members are as follows:
- President: Frankie Bailey
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- Bailey is the Owner of the Coffee Company. He says his favorite part about downtown is the people.
“Community is always the most special part of working downtown,” he explained.
- Vice President: Cathy Shoun
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- Shoun has owned the Dressing Room for 22 years. She is the past president of Elizabethton Downtown Businesses. Shoun expressed excitement to be on the board and is optimistic.
“I’m very excited to be part of our beautiful and growing downtown of Elizabethton,” she said. “Our business owners and community leaders are very supportive of our Main Street Program. We are very fortunate to our Main Street Director and the volunteers to make this all happen. The excitement is continuing to grow in a very progressive way with our store owners.”
Shoun described the variety of downtown and welcomes everyone to come check it out for themselves.
- Secretary: Jeff Treadway
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- Treadway is a City Councilman and retired employee of Veterans Affairs. He is also a member of the Bonnie Kate Restoration Board. Treadway described many fond memories in the area, one being that he worked at the Bonnie Kate Theatre while in school. He is optimistic for the board.
“I am truly excited by the new sense of enthusiasm in Downtown Elizabethton and the fervor with which many of the merchants are embracing our efforts to make our downtown a “destination” for families and people wanting to enjoy the sense of an old time Main Street before or after taking in our beautiful Covered Bridge,” he exclaimed.
- Treasurer: Joe Alexander
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- Alexander is the owner of Alexander Insurance Agency. He said his wife works at Carter County Bank. Alexander explained that he grew up downtown during the “booming” times of the 1950’s and 1960’s. His business is located downtown, as was his father’s (Ed Alexander) insurance office, which has always been in the 600 block and was originally above what is now Lingerfelt Drug Center; his grandfather’s (Dr. J.C. Bowers) dental office was on the second floor of what is now the Ritz Mini-Mall.
“I’ve had the good fortune to be able to stay in my hometown, marry my high school sweetheart (43 years this October 1), and work the Downtown I dearly love,” he said.
- Promotion Chair: Chris Cannon
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- Cannon is a downtown merchant and co-owner of Cannon’s Fine Home Furnishings.
- Organization Chair: Marcia Ross
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- Ross is a downtown merchant and owner of The Art Space.
- Design Chair: Karen Hitchcock
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- Hitchcock is a downtown merchant and owner of Blue River Studios, LLC. She said her favorite thing about downtown are the friends she has made.
- Economic Vitality Chair: Richard Barker
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- Barker is a City Councilman, retired Vice President and Treasurer at Elizabethton Federal Bank.
- Merchants Chair: Patti Whitson
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- Whitson is a resident of Elizabethton and downtown employee in Edwards Jones Investment. She said she loves the friendly atmosphere downtown gives her.
- At-Large Member: Cheri Tinney
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- Tinney is a downtown merchant and owner of Riverside Taphouse, LLC.
- At-Large Member: James Kerr
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- Kerr is owner of Appalachian Sun Brewery and employee at Nuclear Fuel Services.
On her position, Washburn said her favorite things about downtown are the relationships and the people who make up the community.
For more information on Downtown Elizabethton, check out their Facebook page. You can contact Washburn at cwashburn@cityofelizabethton.org.
The program is launching a new brand and strategic plan soon. With this new launch they will have a website, so stay tuned!
“Our downtown is filled with so many stories of passion, hard work, and joy,” said Washburn. “Our merchants truly connect to their customers to create a unique experience. I love the people that make up our downtown community and have been honored to work alongside them to grow and elevate our downtown.”
