MONROE - Amy Brandt, Monroe, will take the helm of Main Street Monroe as its newest executive director today, just in time to help put the finishing touches on the organization's summer-long event, Pirates on the Square. It will be the first time in almost two years the group has had a director.
"Monroe Main Street has done a great job to get where it's at now, and I look forward to jumping that up," Brandt said Thursday.
Brandt declares herself a lover of downtowns.
"It's the heart of the city," she said, "where things happen."
During her years working in broadcast radio, advertising and public relations in Madison, she looked forward to her early morning walks from the parking ramp to her office when the streets were still and quiet, ready for the day ahead.
"I so enjoyed watching the downtown wake up," she said.
Brandt, a Monroe High School graduate, met her husband, Brian, also a Monroe graduate, in Madison. They lived for a few years in Lake Mills, which reminded them of their own hometown. But six years ago, when it came time to buy a home and start a family, they chose to return to Monroe, where they would be closer to family.
It was Brian Brandt who saw Main Street Monroe's advertisement for the executive director's position, recognized that Amy had all the qualifications and convinced her to apply.
Now, just a three-block walk from home to office, Brandt said her new position offers her a lot of ways to use her experiences plus an opportunity to learn new things.
"Monroe is getting out there," she said. "My friends from Sheboygan and Milwaukee are impressed and surprised by what it has to offer. There's a nice, relaxed vibe to the downtown."
Her first 30 days on board will be spent meeting people - on the street, on city council and in community organizations - as well as the businesses on the Square. She will also be learning the ropes though Wisconsin Main Street training.
"I have a good sense of collaboration," she said. "I like to get people together to do things. Everyone has something to offer, and I'm good at pulling that out of them."
Brandt said as an advocate and facilitator for Main Street Monroe, she will be working to create an economically vital and stable downtown for Monroe.
"Everyone benefits from that," she said, "both the public and private sector."
After a successful collaboration, comes celebration, she said.
"I'm not going to forget that," she added. "Seldom do people take time out to celebrate."
"Monroe Main Street has done a great job to get where it's at now, and I look forward to jumping that up," Brandt said Thursday.
Brandt declares herself a lover of downtowns.
"It's the heart of the city," she said, "where things happen."
During her years working in broadcast radio, advertising and public relations in Madison, she looked forward to her early morning walks from the parking ramp to her office when the streets were still and quiet, ready for the day ahead.
"I so enjoyed watching the downtown wake up," she said.
Brandt, a Monroe High School graduate, met her husband, Brian, also a Monroe graduate, in Madison. They lived for a few years in Lake Mills, which reminded them of their own hometown. But six years ago, when it came time to buy a home and start a family, they chose to return to Monroe, where they would be closer to family.
It was Brian Brandt who saw Main Street Monroe's advertisement for the executive director's position, recognized that Amy had all the qualifications and convinced her to apply.
Now, just a three-block walk from home to office, Brandt said her new position offers her a lot of ways to use her experiences plus an opportunity to learn new things.
"Monroe is getting out there," she said. "My friends from Sheboygan and Milwaukee are impressed and surprised by what it has to offer. There's a nice, relaxed vibe to the downtown."
Her first 30 days on board will be spent meeting people - on the street, on city council and in community organizations - as well as the businesses on the Square. She will also be learning the ropes though Wisconsin Main Street training.
"I have a good sense of collaboration," she said. "I like to get people together to do things. Everyone has something to offer, and I'm good at pulling that out of them."
Brandt said as an advocate and facilitator for Main Street Monroe, she will be working to create an economically vital and stable downtown for Monroe.
"Everyone benefits from that," she said, "both the public and private sector."
After a successful collaboration, comes celebration, she said.
"I'm not going to forget that," she added. "Seldom do people take time out to celebrate."