About Us -

About Us

El Dorado Main Street’s stated mission is …”to enhance our downtown identity and heritage, to foster a center of activity for both business and recreation and to ensure economic stability for the heart of El Dorado through concentrated efforts of design, promotion, organization and economic vitalization.”

Contact Us:

(316) 321-3088

director@eldoradomainstreet.org

116 W. Pine Ave. | El Dorado, KS 67042

Meet the Board of Directors

Austin Letts; President

I have lived in El Dorado for almost a year and within that year I have found Main Street to be one of the most important and aspirational places in El Dorado. I am currently serving on the El Dorado Planning and Zoning Committee along with being the President of Main Street Organization and the office manager for my husband and I’s insurance business. I was born and raised in a small town, Neosho, Missouri and know the importance of what a downtown means to not only the citizens of the city but the economy as well.

I have a Master’s Degree in Data Analytics and have worked in the IT sector for the past 9 years before moving into insurance. With the organizational skills I have learned throughout my years in the IT sector, I hope to restore Main Street to become “the” destination to visit while in El Dorado.

Vice President

To Be Announced!

Whitney Debita; Treasurer

Joined the Board of Directors in 2023 as a community member dedicated to supporting El Dorado Main Street’s mission and values. As a young professional, she is involved with partnering organizations, community engagement, and manufacturing in the local area.

As the Human Resource Manager for a local manufacturing company, Whitney specializes in Human Resources, Environmental Health and Safety, and Operations Management.

Craig Yaryan; Secretary

Has served on the El Dorado Main Street Board of Directors for 12 years, President for 2 years, Vice President for 1 year, Secretary for 1 year, Chairman of the Design Committee for 13 years and Chairman and founder of the Banner Program for 6 years. He currently serves on the 2024 Sales Tax Advisory Board for the City of El Dorado. Has been a member for 8 years and currently the Treasurer for the El Dorado Red Devil Chefs.

Craig spent most of his career in the financial industry. He served as Treasurer and Vice President of a bank, served as President of the Kansas Association of Mortgage Brokers for 10 years and served on the National Association of Mortgage Brokers for 10 years. He served as a Bank Consultant for 3 years.

Debbie Glendening; Recording Secretary

Jeff Christensen; Immediate Past President

Sherry Hagemeister; Board Member

After spending 30 years as an entrepreneur in many different industries but particularly healthcare and service industries, today I spend time as my childhood passion, with animals. I hope to help El Dorado entrepreneurs see the future as best I can.

Meet the Executive Director

Emily Connell; Executive Director

Main Street Committees

Transformation Strategies are implemented through comprehensive work in four broad areas, known as the FOUR POINTS:

Economic Vitalization

Design

Promotion

Organization

Economic Vitalization focuses on capital, incentives, and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development, and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive local economies.

Design supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart.

Promotion positions the downtown or commercial district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics.

Organization involves creating a strong foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and resources for the district.