Speakers

Key Note Speaker

Patrice Frey

Patrice Frey is President and CEO of the National Main Street Center, where she oversees the Center’s work, offering technical assistance, research, advocacy, and education and training opportunities for Main Street’s network of approximately 1,800 members. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the National Main Street Center is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and has participated in the renewal of more than 2,000 older commercial districts during its 30-year history.

Before joining the National Main Street Center in May 2013, Patrice serviced as the Director of Sustainability at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where she oversaw the National Trust’s efforts to promote the reuse and greening of older and historic buildings, including research and policy development work through the Seattle-based Preservation Green Lab.

Before joining the National Trust, Patrice worked for several years in the field of community development and urban research. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's program in historic preservation, where she received a master's degree in preservation planning and a certificate in real estate design and development through the Penn School of Design and Wharton Business School. Patrice completed her master's thesis on the application of the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards to historic buildings.

Patrice also worked for the City of Goleta, California, where she coordinated the acquisition and preservation of coastal open space, as well as a number of community development related programs. Prior to her time in Goleta, Patrice worked for the Brookings Institution’s Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy in Washington, D.C., where she served as the executive assistant to the center director. She received her bachelor's degree in politics and international relations from Scripps College in Claremont, California.

Featured Guests: Downtown Happy Hour

Ben Muldrow

Ben Muldrow is a graphic artist with over 25 years of experience in a wide variety of marketing applications. He provides community identity and branding services for communities across the nation, including a handful of Florida communities. Ben has worked on a number of projects specializing in the development of city and neighborhood identities, wayfinding strategies, and promotional marketing material.

Bernice Radle

Bernice is owner and CEO of Buffalove Development and Little Wheel Restoration Co in Buffalo, New York. She is an urban planner, historic preservationist, and building science nerd. She believes strong healthy neighborhoods are the key to our communities’ success. She believes that neighborhood strength is not defined by how expensive the homes are, but by how inclusive it is to all.

Jeff Siegler

Jeff has assisted hundreds of communities with revitalization, economic sustainability, and community development. Utilizing a background in urban planning, downtown district management, revitalization, real estate, economics, and organizational development, his diverse background and expertise lends a unique vantage point for addressing community concerns. He believes revitalizing communities is the most important work we can do. Revitalization enhances quality of life by providing people with more enriching experiences. Jeff has dedicated himself to killing apathy - one town at a time.