Alton Main Street Board of Directors
Chris Miller
President
It’s been clear since to Chris even before he moved back to Alton that Alton Main Street is the backbone of both the community and business economies of the Riverbend. For years his company, The Mission Center L3C, and AMS have partnered on programming and events that have spurred entrepreneurship and aim to maintain the momentum inspired by The Small Business Revolution.
Chris specializes in community and economic development – specifically, social and commercial entrepreneurship. He’s had the privilege of working with thousands of nonprofits as a community organizer, advisor, founder, and board member and looks forward to bringing his broad base of experience in the nonprofit sector to Alton Main Street.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Science from Truman State University, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Political Studies from the University of Illinois, Springfield. He is currently the Director of Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship at University of Missouri-St. Louis, and is a Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Rachel Lappin
Vice President
Rachel Lappin is an Alton native and lover of art and #OurAlton. As Jacoby Art Center’s Executive Director her mission is to engage imaginations and enrich lives in our community through the arts. Her work with Alton Main Street as Design Committee Chair is an extension of her mission at Jacoby. She brings to this work her experience as an artist with a Bachelors of Fine Art in Metalsmithing and Museum Studies and over 10 years of organizational development and communications experience.
Barry Macias
Treasurer
Bailey Shaw
Secretary
Bailey Shaw moved to Alton in 2017. At that time, she was working as a Wedding and Event Planner in St Louis. That next summer, a friend invited her to Alton’s Night Market, where she met an amazing group of people that were planning fun, local events that impacted the community. Right there she decided she wanted to volunteer with Alton Main Street and put her event planning skills to work in her own backyard! Fast forward to 2023, she has entered a new career in marketing and agency work. This makes her happy because she has more time to be involved with AMS by joining the Board (plus she can actually attend Saturday events now)!
Marlene Lewis
Organization Committee Chair
Marlene Lewis retired from BJC HealthCare after a 25-year career in Community Relations and Development. During her career she was encouraged to become active in the community and her enthusiasm for volunteering has carried over to retirement.
Marlene received her Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Greenville College in 2008. In 2011 she achieved her professions leading certification by becoming a CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive). This certification recognizes her as a talented fundraising professional with the highest ethical standards.
Married to husband Dale since 1978, they live in a historic home in the Christian Hill neighborhood. Their daughter Abigail is a fashion designer in Los Angeles and son Caleb is a local entrepreneur who is also involved in many volunteer activities.
Marlene joined the Alton Main Street board in January 2024, 25 years after first serving on the board in 1999. She is currently on the Alton Woman’s Home Association board, The Salvation Army Advisory Board and Vintage Voices Committee.
She has a great love for the Alton area, particularly its rich history and natural beauty.
Damian Jones
Organization Committee Vice-Chair
Mary Jo Sinclair
Team Building Committee Chair
Hope Mader
Team Building Committee Vice-Chair
Hope Mader is a lifelong resident of the Riverbend Area. She was introduced to the Alton music scene in 1995 and has been an enthusiast of, and contributor to, that community ever since. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Photography from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Hope returned to Alton in 2004 and continued her creative pursuits. A songwriter for as long as she can remember, Hope debuted her band Hope & Therapy in 2008 and the group has released two albums and toured the United States. In 2015, Hope started Rock the Hops – an event which highlights, supports, and encourages our regional music and art scene. In addition to these creative endeavors, Hope has years of professional experience in business/office management, disaster restoration, and construction. She is passionate about architecture, design, photography, renovation, vintage goods, creative culture, and last but definitely not least, her husband and their three young children. Her hope for the city is a continued renaissance and for it to inspire and be inspired by the vast array of voices in the community.
Christine Favilla
Design Committee Chair
Christine Favilla graduated from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado with a BA in Sociology, a minor in Environmental Policy, and a Communications Concentration. Christine has worked as the Sierra Club’s Three Rivers Project Co-Coordinator for the past 21 years and has taken Ecosystem Restoration Classes and pollinator webinars to increase her knowledge and practices of growing and managing native plant communities. She has helped plan, plant, and maintain the Hellrung Park Certified Monarch Waystation in Alton; the Alton YWCA’s butterfly garden and Summer Camp vegetable garden; the Wadlow Restoration Site’s native trees and plants project; and the butterfly shaped Pollinator Project and the Discovery Prairie at La Vista Park in Godfrey. However, her favorite native plant project is her Monarch Waystation Certified side and back yard, boasting over 35 species of native plants and cultivars. Her interest is in educating the community on the importance of natural systems in flood control and river management, growing native plants for pollinators and food, sustainable landscaping, and growing nutritious food. She has partnered with Alton Main Street to organize and host the Mississippi Earthtones Festival and the Green Gift Bazaar since their inception. She was also recognized as a 2023 Woman of Distinction by the YWCA of Southwest Illinois.
Jenny Unfried
Design Committee Vice-Chair
Teri McGinnis
Promotions Committee Chair
Teri is a native of Toledo, Ohio who relocated to Alton in the Summer of 2020. She has a BA in Arts and Sciences from The University of Toledo with a focus on Art Education and Photography. The first time Teri went to Night Market on Broadway she knew that she wanted to be a part of the fun. By the time the 2021 season came around she was ready to join in the activities with her business, My Generation Alton. Becoming an AMS committee member was offered to her a year later and when invited to become a board member, the answer was a resounding yes!
Michael Snider
Promotions Committee Vice-Chair
Originally hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, Michael attended Indiana University and the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute. His past work experience includes City Museum in St. Louis, land surveying, Harley Davidson mechanic, and home remodeling. Michael moved to Alton in 2003, and is currently a full time Artist on earth to spread good will and peace. Michael’s specialty is assembling large interactive and conversational works from items found in nature and found objects which have often been discarded.
His involvement with Alton Main Street has given him the opportunity to collaborate with others that share creative and forward-thinking ideas, and continue Alton’s evolution as a funny, quirky, artsy and poetic place that is a destination for creators of all types.
Penny Schmidt
Economic Vitality Committee Chair
Penny grew up in Elsah, just 10 miles up the River from Alton, and graduated from Principia College. In 2006, she returned to the area with renewed appreciation for the depth of cultural history and natural beauty of the Mississippi Riverbend area.
Having owned and operated Schmidt Bingham Gallery in New York City for many years, the memory of artists’ lofts and creative downtown energy resonated in the charm and character of historic buildings, brick paved streets and the waterfront district in Alton. Recognizing the magnetic urban setting overlooking the River and Clark Bridge, with uninterrupted sky and vast view shed, Penny redeveloped the early 20th century Illinois Terminal Railroad Headquarters into 10 residential and 5 commercial lofts. In 2008, it became the Mississippi Landing.
Spinning off her art world career, Penny is involved in a number of non profit cultural organizations promoting the arts, community revitalization, local agriculture and ecology. She is on the Advisory Board for Audubon Center at Riverlands and a long time member of Alton Main Street Economic Vitality Committee. Sharing a deep appreciation for the extraordinary character of a creative community, family owned businesses, local pride, loyalty, and grit of entrepreneurs, Penny is proud to join the Alton Main Street Board. When not walking her dog around the Marina in Riverfront Park or hiking at Riverlands or strolling through historic downtown, Penny enjoys the privilege of being within 20 minutes from the St Louis Art Museum and Pulitzer Foundation, the Symphony and Dance St Louis, and the International Airport. Coming home to Alton’s small town friendliness and beauty is always a treat.
Economic Vitality Committee Vice-Chair
Sheila Curry
Finance Committee
I have lived in the Riverbend Area for over 20 years; born and raised in St. Louis, Mo., becoming a teenage entrepreneur until my adult life, which lead to wanting my own business.
I have taken my knowledge from corporate America where I have done administrative work, accounts payable, receivable, payroll, design staff development for St Louis Public Schools, open Harrah’s Casino; until the next chapter in my life which lead me to the opening of a retail store in 2011 (Granny’s Uniforms Work Fashions and More!) It’s there I offer a complete line of workwear, nursing scrubs and medical supplies and school uniforms. My pasts experience has played a valid role in my life, I have grown as a small business owner. I love giving back and being a part of this Riverbend town which I have chosen for my location. I like the feel of the community, and felt that I could provide a service that would be an enhancement.
I am looking forward to serving on the board, networking and building a strong relationship with team members. The more interested volunteers there for Alton Main Street, the stronger our community will be. “Because great things happen when people choose to work together”.
Sara McGibany
Executive Director
Sara McGibany has been the Executive Director of Alton Main Street since December of 2006. She graduated from Marquette Catholic High school and holds a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University, with a major in Public Relations and a minor in Psychology. Besides working on various events and projects that promote and improve Downtown Alton, Sara also enjoys serving on the Board of Directors for the Mustard Seed Peace Project, and the Steering Committee of the Upper Alton Association. She enjoys volunteering for environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club, and is an avid community gardener. Sara has been active in Alton’s Community Policing strategy and in the Community Builders Network of St. Louis. In 2018 she was elected to a seat on the Democratic Precinct Committee, and in 2019 she was appointed to the Community Development Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Her spare time is spent playing guitar with her bands, as well as creating clothing, jewelry and paintings.
Advisors
Betsy Allen – 1st Ward Alderwoman
Ray Strebel – 3rd Ward Alderman
Lori Bockholdt – Deputy Comptroller, City of Alton
Debbie Frakes – Upper Alton Association
Zeke Jabusch – North Alton-Godfrey Business Council
In Loving Memory of Yvonne Campbell
Board Member 2021-2022
Yvonne Campbell was the owner and operator of My Just Desserts, a destination restaurant in Downtown Alton known for having the best pie along the river road! Their historic building dates back to 1845, My Just Desserts opened its doors in 1989, and the business was purchased by Yvonne in 2018 after spending most of her adult life as an employee there. She expanded their specialty retail offerings with a spice shop and kitchenware, and the restaurant boasts over 150 recipes that make up their daily lunch specials which rotate on a monthly basis. Yvonne graduated from Alton High School and earned a culinary degree at Southwestern Illinois College. Tragically, our friend lost her life in an automobile accident while vacationing in Jamaica in 2022. She will be forever in our hearts and memories, and her legacy restaurant lives on operated by her friends and family.