Ames Main Street Cultural District Announces New Executive Director

From the Ames Chamber of Commerce

MAIN STREET CULTURAL DISTRICT WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Main Street Cultural District board of directors announced that Cari Hague will serve as the new executive director of the downtown community and economic development group.

Hague, a long-time resident of Ames and 2003 graduate of Iowa State University, has been a large proponent for the district and has served in many volunteer positions including chair of the MSCD business improvement committee in 2011 and 2012. She has chaired the annual benefit entertainment committee for the Mary Greeley Medical Center Foundation the past two years and since 2007 has been a managing partner at Jacquelyn's photography whose gallery is located at 406 Main Street in downtown Ames.

“Cari’s passion for downtown Ames is evident and I think she will add great value to the MSCD in this role” says Dan Culhane, President and CEO of the Ames Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission.

As director, Hague will oversee the cultural district's daily operations, facilitate and coordinate all efforts of the MSCD and its committees and volunteers, and will be the primary public relations contact. She will also manage the cultural district's event director and interns. Hague will be taking the place of Tom Drenthe who resigned in September to go back to school.

“It’s an exciting time to be stepping into this role,” says Hague. “The Main Street Cultural District has built up a lot of momentum but we still have some work to do to develop downtown into a complete local treasure and destination experience. I’m looking forward to leading us there.”

Hague will start her position on Dec. 3 and be working with Drenthe through the middle of December to make the transition smooth.

“Downtown is experiencing a revival of excitement and energy,” says Bill Malone, current MSCD board president. “In hiring Cari we wanted a leader that could take this success and continue to move it forward. She has a strong, outspoken vision for where she wants the district to go, and she has the management experience to get us there.”

Incoming 2013 cultural district board president Terry Stark says of Hague, “Cari is familiar with the MSCD's role within the Main Street Iowa program and brings a business, retail and volunteer mentality to the position that will serve us well.”