Main Street McMinnville seeks executive director

Main Street McMinnville, formed in December 1999 with the mission to preserve, enrich and promote McMinnville's historic downtown as the vibrant heart of the community, is seeking a new leader.

MSM plays an active role in promoting downtown businesses and spearheads several initiatives, including Main Street Live, Farm to Table, Second Saturdays, Flip the Switch and the upcoming Levitt Amp McMinnville Music Series, a seven-week fall concert series. MSM has also obtained grants which have been used to purchase new benches, trash cans and picnic tables for public use as well as assisting downtown property owners in receiving grants for facade improvements. The organization has been without an executive director since the resignation of Jennifer Flatt Meredith from the role Dec. 4, 2025.

In leaving the position, Meredith, who became executive director in January 2022, expressed her pride in the achievements of the group under her leadership as well as appreciation for those she worked with.

"When I stepped into this role, the biggest priority was rebuilding an organization that had gone without a director and had lost a great deal of momentum," Meredith said. "In 2022, Raven Young and I worked closely together to steady the program and get Main Street McMinnville refocused on what truly matters—supporting economic development in our downtown and serving the businesses and people who make it thrive.

"None of this work happens without strong leadership and collaboration. I’m deeply thankful for the board members who served during my time and for the leadership of several board chairs—Raven Young, Joe O’Neal, and Chad Graves. Our board is made up of downtown business and property owners, along with representatives from the city and county, tourism, the chamber and the Industrial Development Board. That diverse mix of perspectives made the work stronger and helped keep everyone focused on a shared vision for downtown McMinnville.

"What I will miss most are the relationships—working alongside downtown business owners, community leaders, and our state partners. Many people don’t realize that Main Street operates through the Tennessee Main Street program under the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, while also functioning as a nonprofit. That nonprofit structure allows programs to apply for grants and reinvest dollars directly back into downtown. At the same time, the role of the city and county is critical. Consistent support from local government and the board is essential to maintaining stability, especially for a program that requires a full-time director to remain accredited.

"Over the years, that support has shifted at times, and while I truly felt we were making a difference and gaining momentum, recent changes in city nonprofit funding policies presented a significant challenge—one that the board continues to work through. While many Main Street programs across the state receive tourism development funding to help sustain their work, that funding was not approved locally, making long-term sustainability more difficult.

"Even with those challenges, I truly loved representing McMinnville through Main Street McMinnville. Our downtown—its character, design and architecture—is the result of people who believed in this place long before me, and it’s been an honor to help carry that vision forward."

As MSM looks for its next executive director to continue to fulfill the group's mission, it has released a job description and has posted the job listing on Indeed.com. The job description reads as follows:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – JOB DESCRIPTION

Main Street McMinnville
Reports To: Board of Directors
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director (ED) of Main Street McMinnville serves as the chief executive, advocate, strategist, connector and administrative lead for downtown revitalization efforts using the Main Street America™ Four-Point Approach®: Organization, Promotion, Economic Vitality and Design. The ED is responsible for managing daily operations, implementing strategies and work plans, coordinating volunteers and committees, supporting downtown businesses, organizing and executing events, overseeing marketing, and ensuring compliance with Main Street America™, Tennessee Main Street and internal requirements.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership & Management
• Provide leadership and daily management.
• Serve as spokesperson and representative.
• Implement strategic plans and annual work plans.
• Support, recruit, and coordinate volunteers and committees.
• Prepare agendas, reports, and dashboards for the Board.
• Ensure Main Street accreditation compliance.
• Track program data and economic metrics.
• Attend all meetings as required.
• Supervise staff, contractors, and volunteers.
Administration & Operations
• Respond to mail, email, calls, and public inquiries.
• Pay bills, process invoices, deposits, and reimbursements.
• Manage financial tracking and prepare monthly reports with Quickbooks online.
• Maintain organizational records and compliance documentation.
• Manage sponsorship and donor databases.
• Prepare materials for meetings.
• Troubleshoot operational issues.
• Maintain a visible downtown presence.
Promotion, Marketing & Events
• Plan and execute signature downtown events such as but not limited to MSL, Levitt Amp Music Series, Farm to Table,
Second Saturdays, Flip the Switch, etc.
• Lead marketing across social media, website, email, and media outlets.
• Maintain relationships with local media.
• Promote downtown businesses and activities.
• Attend ribbon cuttings and community events.
• Order banners, signs, commemoratives, and promotional materials.
Economic Vitality
• Support business retention, recruitment, and expansion.
• Serve as resource for business and property owners.
• Track and report economic impact data.
• Facilitate technical assistance and grant access.
• Engage with economic development partners.
Design & Placemaking
• Encourage historic preservation and design excellence.
• Support façade improvements and property reinvestment.
• Collaborate on streetscape and public space enhancements.
• Assist property owners with design best practices.
Fundraising, Sponsorships & Financial Development
• Manage sponsorship and investor relations.
• Track sponsorship benefits and donor records.
• Support grant writing and compliance.
• Apply for new grants that would benefit Main Street McMinnville and the downtown community.
• Cultivate relationships with supporters.
Community & Stakeholder Engagement
• Maintain communication with downtown businesses and partners.
• Serve as liaison with government and civic organizations.
• Represent the organization at events and meetings, some of which will take place after regular hours and on weekends.
• Build organizational visibility and credibility.

DAY-TO-DAY FUNCTIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Maintain office operations and communication channels.
• Conduct weekly business and partner check-ins.
• Update website and social media regularly.
• Manage procurement for event materials.
• Track work plan progress.
• Maintain visibility downtown.
• Identify emerging needs and coordinate solutions.
• Maintain set office hours each week.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Five years of relevant experience preferred.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Experience with event planning, fundraising, and community partnerships.
• Proficiency with budgeting tools and digital platforms.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Evening and weekend availability required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Office environment with frequent downtown engagement.
• Evening and weekend work required.
• Flexible scheduling during peak seasons.

COMPENSATION

$45,000 - 55,000 USD
80 Hours PTO with potential for bonus and/or Incentive program opportunities.
Professional development opportunities may be included.

Those interested in applying for the position may do so here. Those interested in volunteering for MSM events are invited to email mainstmcminnville@gmail.com.

Until next time, the Beat goes on

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