By Joe Potter
Jennifer Crain knew coming in that she had big shoes to fill when she succeeded Brenda Welcher as executive director of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc.
Crain was tapped for the top spot this month after Welcher, the former director, left to take a marketing position with Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.
Crain is joined by her executive assistant, Judy Taylor.
The mission of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc. is to provide economic vitality through historic preservation, pride in our quality of life and a strong sense of community, the organization’s web page says.
“Jennifer is no stranger to Zephyrhills or to Main Street,” said Elayne Bassinger, the board’s president. “She has learned a lot about the Main Street Zephyrhills organization by working closely with Welcher as a volunteer since February 2009. Jennifer comes to Main Street Zephyrhills with vast and diverse experience including sales, marketing and fundraising. She owned and operated her own charter bus company for several years.
Bassinger also said Crain understands the importance of development and growth in the community for local businesses to thrive. “She is looking forward to building upon Main Street Zephyrhills’ past success,” Bassinger said.
Crain is a co-owner of Interstate Housing Management LLC in Wesley Chapel.
Crain and Taylor had both worked with Welcher as volunteers and assisted at several Main Street events.
“I’m very excited. I think this is a wonderful opportunity. It gives me a chance to help finish and excel on what Brenda had already started to accomplish here,” Crain said, adding, “It gives us the opportunity to help unite the community with the businesses during these economic times. It’s very important that everybody be supportive of each other and the community be supporting our local businesses,” Crain said.
Welcher was a mentor to her and was just wonderful at what she did, Crain said.
The first big event on Crain’s calendar is National Night Out that will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 3. National Night Out is a unique crime/drug prevention program that is observed across the country. Now in its 27th year, National Night Out involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials.
The program is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local crime anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Events held during National Night Out range from block parties to cookouts and from visits from local police and sheriff’s departments to contests and youth programs.
“We would really like for the community to come out and to join us for this event.” Crain said.
“It will be a great time for kids. McGruff the Crime Dog will be here,” said Taylor, Crain’s executive assistant.
Taylor has known Welcher for 16 years. She and Welcher previously worked for the same company in Indiana. Taylor took an early retirement and moved to Florida.
She was involved in several Main Street events over the past year while working as a volunteer.
It’s Taylor’s job to keep in contact with vendors who are participating in events and to help Crain to organize events.
“We’re really looking forward to getting into this thing and really going with it,” Taylor said.
Also on the agenda is the next Music & Motorcycles that will be held on Sept. 11. A lot of preplanning has to be done for Music & Motorcycles, Crain said.
For more information about Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., call (813) 780-1414 or visit www.mainstreetzephyrhills.org.
