Laura Krizov
Manager, Michigan Main Street Center
Specialized Technical Assistance & Revitalization Strategy Division
MSHDA

Laura Krizov works for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) as the Manager, Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA. The Michigan Main Street Center is part of the Specialized Technical Assistance and Revitalization Strategy (STARS) Division. Its goal is to assist communities in the revitalization of their historic downtowns and traditional neighborhood commercial districts. Laura has worked for the State of Michigan for more than ten years. Her positions within the State of Michigan range from working at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation on the CATeam, where she assisted communities with their revitalization process, including handling Brownfield projects, packaging CDBG incentives to providing technical assistance. Laura has been a vital part of the Michigan Main Street Program for the last six years, including providing training to communities and elevating the program to its current status. Laura has worked with all of the current Main Street communities and oversees the four members of the Michigan Main Street staff. Laura graduated in 2005 from Western Michigan University with a Master of Public Administration and 2001 from Northwood University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Management.

Kelly Larson
Main Street Architect
State Historic Preservation Office
MSHDA

Kelly Larson works for the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) as the Main Street Architect primarily providing design services and historic preservation assistance to Michigan Main Street Communities. Before joining the SHPO, Kelly worked in a variety of Main Street and historic architecture related roles. She graduated in 2000 from Kansas State University with a Bachelor*s of Interior Architecture. After graduation, she worked for Treanor Architects in Topeka, Kansas, on the major restoration and rehabilitation of Kansas*s statehouse. In 2002, she went to New Delhi, India on a cultural exchange internship with the Indian National Trust for Art & Cultural Heritage measuring and documenting historic structures. After returning from India in 2003, Kelly became the manager of the Boyne City Main Street program for three years and facilitated the community*s downtown revitalization efforts. Kelly began working at the SHPO in 2006.

 

Dace Koenigsknecht
Economic Restructuring Specialist, Michigan Main Street Center
Specialized Technical Assistance & Revitalization Strategy Division
MSHDA

Dace Koenigsknecht works for the Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA as the Economic Restructuring Specialist. Dace provides technical assistance to Michigan Main Street Communities in market research, real estate redevelopment and a host of other economic redevelopment activities. Before coming to the Main Street Center, Dace worked in various IT-related roles and volunteered countless hours to historic and preservation projects. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a History degree, Dace was the Cooperative Advertising and Publications Manager for Partners Book Distributing. Dace also worked for eight years as the Lansing area implementation and support specialist on Electronic Data Systems’ (EDS) General Motors account. Most recently Dace transitioned his extensive database and technical knowledge to the role of Data Integration Analyst for the Department of Community Health. Dace completed a Masters Degree in Historic Preservation Planning from Eastern Michigan University in 2008. Through his prior association with the Michigan Main Street program he has completed innovative research projects, assembled a National Register nomination, and presented a paper at a national preservation conference. Dace began working at MSHDA in 2008.

Mary Lee Stotler
Promotions Specialist, Michigan Main Street Center
Specialized Technical Assistance & Revitalization Strategy Division
MSHDA

Mary Lee Stotler is the Promotions Specialist for the Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA, working to assist communities to enhance their image and expand their marketing potential.  Prior to joining the Michigan Main Street Center, Mary was the Main Street Manager for Freeport Texas, a position she held for more than five years.  While there, she developed several successful events including a blues festival which grew from 250 attendees to approximately 10,000 in five years.  A former personal trainer and fitness columnist, she saw the opportunity to promote the city as a recreation destination and created a sprint triathlon that attracted athletes from across the state.  By the fourth year, this event brought athletes from as far away as Japan.  Prior to joining the Main Street family, Mary served for several years as the Branch Director for the Boys & Girls Club in Freeport, Texas, providing mentoring and a safe environment for children. With both a BA and MA in English from the University of Houston, Mary taught at both the high school and college levels.  A self-proclaimed history buff, she is enthusiastic about helping cities preserve and market their historic downtowns.  Mary started at MSHDA in June, 2010.

Joe Borgstrom
Director
Specialized Technical Assistance
& Revitalization Strategy Division
MSHDA

Joe Borgstrom is the Director of the Specialized Technical Assistance and Revitalization Strategy Division for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). His division includes the Michigan Main Street Center and Pure Michigan Living units. The Michigan Main Street Center @ MSHDA provides intensive technical assistance to communities who seek to revitalize their downtowns. The Pure Michigan Living unit exists to as a brand extension to Travel Michigan’s Pure Michigan campaign and promotes Michigan as a quality place for people to live, work and play. During his career, Mr. Borgstrom has worked with over 80 communities across Michigan on a wide range of downtown, Brownfield and traditional economic development projects that have resulted in millions of dollars in new private investment and hundreds of new jobs. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan-Flint and is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional.