I’m stealing this joke from Noreen Rueckert who serves as the director for Green County Tourism: I get along very well with the rest of the staff in the Main Street office. It’s a joke because I, like Green County Tourism, am an office of one.

Of course, Main Street Monroe is nothing if not for our many volunteers. From watering flowerpots to capital campaign projects, they’re the lifeblood. 

As the one paid staff person, though, my responsibilities include tasks from the most important to the smallest, menial ones.

Several years ago, Noreen decided to put her multitasking abilities to good use. I’ve been holding onto the idea since. And now that I’m starting my 10th year in this position, I’ve decided to do the same with a self-interview.

What’s your background?

Born and raised in Green Bay, but my dad is from Minnesota. Ask me to say “sota” sometime or what football teams we rooted for growing up!

I have a bachelor’s degree in French and international studies and a Master of Public Policy degree in Public Policy with an emphasis in state and local politics. 

How did you get started in Community Development?

Officially, interning for the mayor’s office in Green Bay for grad school. 

But as a middle schooler, I wrote to local mall owners and felt like the king of the world when I got to meet with them (and my mom and little brother) to discuss their redevelopment plans. 

I was with another Main Street program (right outside of Green Bay) for about a year. After not getting a position in Iowa, I remember noting that I needed to include in my cover letter that both of my parents were small business owners when I applied for this position.

What do you like most about your job?

Every day is different! I feel blessed to work with so many different types of people on so many different things. In the past couple days, I’ve worked with high school students for social media content, met with donors for a capital campaign project, written an article for the Green County Visitors Guide on it, submitted advertising materials, met with city staff to discuss a parade route, and met with entrepreneurs hoping to open their first business. There is independence and the opportunity to take on new initiatives through collaboration. I am by no means an expert in anything, but I get to do things I never thought I would. 

What’s not to like?

Nearly everything posted on our social media accounts is from me. That gives me a lot of anxiety, but not like it used to thankfully. I love being part of storytelling, but I also feel a strong responsibility to do justice to each business and its owner. It’s about finding what’s unique and doing justice to it. People so often expect the “new” when a lot of what makes Monroe so special isn’t. A lot of work goes into “just” maintaining. 

Who’s your boss?

I report to a board of directors. Main Street Monroe also reports to the state Main Street program (a part of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation) and completes an annual accreditation process through them.

How have things changed since you started?

We’ve been able to grow the program, both in terms of the number of events we do and in reach. 

The types of businesses have changed. It’s by no means a bad thing, but we’re also not immune to national trends.

Does having a job tied to downtown mean you don’t get to travel?

Yes! As part of the state program, I’m required to do multiple trainings per year. The location rotates throughout the state. I’ve been to many small, charming communities, that I would never have explored otherwise. Aside from the actual training, it’s motivational and has made me like Wisconsin that much more. 

Most ironic part about being in your current position?

I dropped my only nonprofit management class in grad school. My buddy and I both decided working for a nonprofit wasn’t for us. I wrote the professor saying that it just wasn’t in my future. I’m filing it away under life’s little ironies.

—  Jordan Nordby is the executive director for Main Street Monroe. He can be reached at MonroeMainStreet@tds.net. Complete details on Main Street Monroe and its efforts can be found at mainstreetmonroe.org.