Change in Leadership coming at Two Rivers Main Street

Roger Russove, executive director of the Two Rivers Main Street Program since 2015, has announced that he plans to retire from this position, effective July 1, 2022.
Russove made this announcement at the April 19 meeting of Main Street’s Board of Directors.
Remaining in the position until July 1 will allow him to continue working through the weekend of the Cool City Classic Car Cruise and Car Show, one of Main Street’s major annual events and an event that is near and dear to Roger.
The Two Rivers Main Street program is an affiliate of the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Today there are more than 1,200 Main Street Communities across the country focused on preservation-based economic development.
Two Rivers successfully pursued designation as a Wisconsin Main Street Community in 1995 to help revitalize Two Rivers’ historic downtown business district. Its mission today is to improve the community’s quality of life by strengthening the downtown as the heart of the community.
Two Rivers Main Street is the organizer of many special events that bring people downtown, including Ethnic Festival, Brew Dash, downtown Wine Walks, The Great Trivia, the Hometown
Christmas Parade and the Cool City Classic car cruise and show, and more. Last year, Main Street organized a tribute to Two Rivers-born blues musician Bryan Lee; an event that will be held again this year on July 9.
Main Street’s Design Committee is committed to beautifying the downtown with hanging flower baskets on Washington street, and by activating public art projects ranging from downtown art banners to fullscale murals projects on historic buildings. The design committee also supports local downtown businesses through its facade and sign grants. The downtown organization’s Economic Vitality Committee offers business development services, and Main Street’s Promotions Committee promotes Main Street’s activities and events.
Roger Russove’s involvement with Two Rivers Main Street goes back to its founding. In 1995, as an interested local businessperson, he assisted in preparing Two Rivers’ application for designation as a Wisconsin Main Street Community and was part of the team that pitched that designation in a presentation to the WI Department of Commerce. Today, Two Rivers is one of 34 Main Street communities recognized by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Looking back over his more than 6 years as Director, Russove commented: “This has been a great 6 and a half years. Many great things have happened in Two Rivers, and there are many more coming soon. Thank you to everyone in the community for your support and your desire to make Two Rivers a great place to live, work and play. I look forward watching the continued growth of the city and the Main Street district as I move into the next phase of my career.”
Main Street Board President Gina Krahn expressed the board’s appreciation for Russove’s service:
“Roger has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the history of Two Rivers, and his relationships span far beyond the downtown district. We are all grateful for his years of service to the Two Rivers community”.
Krahn also noted that the Main Street Board and its committees will not only be focused on recruitment of a new director, but also carrying out Main Street’s Strategic Plan and 2022 Work Plan to keep improving downtown Two Rivers. For more information, contact Main Street Board President Gina Krahn: gina@sepiachapel.com.