Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie DeBacker.
Hi Jamie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in Warrensburg, I never imagined my roots would grow as deep as they have. After graduating from UCM with a BSBA in Management, I moved to St. Louis to pursue a career in wedding planning. While it was a great experience, it never quite felt like the right fit. I decided to return home to Warrensburg to reset and figure out what I truly wanted to do. My mom, who owns a floral and home décor shop in Downtown Warrensburg, mentioned she was involved with the Main Street program and that there was an opening for an Event Coordinator. I applied and joined Warrensburg Main Street in July 2019 and quickly “drank the Kool-Aid.” I knew right away this was where I was meant to be. What started as a role focused on planning events grew into a passion for marketing, design, and community development. With the guidance of my boss and mentor, Jill, I learned every facet of the organization. She often told me she saw the potential for me to one day become Executive Director and in 2021, I was promoted to Assistant Director. I began leading committees, writing grants, and developing new events to promote tourism and local pride. In 2024, I stepped into the role of Executive Director of Warrensburg Main Street. My drive for this work has only continued to grow. Since joining Main Street, our team has helped add over 10 public art projects, planted 9 new trees, created a business grant program, and organized more than 50 annual events. We’ve grown our Farmers’ Market from 20 to 50 season vendors, increased fundraising, consistently sold out events, and helped reduce downtown’s vacancy rate from 22% to 13%. What started as a hometown return has become a true calling, building a downtown where everyone feels welcome and connected.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Working in a role that’s so visible to the public eye is never a smooth road. Some decisions we make aren’t popular with everyone but that’s also what keeps this job exciting. It’s never boring, and I know there will always be new challenges ahead. In my first two weeks as Executive Director, I spent more time with a plumber than I ever imagined I would! Taking on this role also meant assuming responsibility for the property management of the two historic buildings our nonprofit owns, which was a whole new learning curve. Another challenge comes with managing over 50 volunteers each month. There’s no shortage of creative ideas and big dreams, but part of leadership is learning to balance ambition with capacity and to know when it’s time to take off your Main Street hat and recharge. Work-life balance in a job like this can be tough. You’re always “on,” whether you’re at the grocery store or out to dinner, people recognize you and want to talk about what’s happening downtown. And as an empath, learning that you can’t make everyone happy has been one of the hardest, but most valuable, lessons.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Warrensburg Main Street is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth and vitality of our downtown. While many know us as the “fun, event nonprofit,” our work goes far beyond events and celebrations. We are economic impact leaders, small business advocates, and community builders. Every art mural, event, and graphic we create serves a larger purpose. We work to enhance Downtown Warrensburg, support local entrepreneurs, and encourage residents and visitors alike to shop small and stay connected to our community. Main Street is part of a national and state network, and we’re proud to be one of only nine accredited Main Street programs in Missouri. For more than 30 years, our organization has continued the vision started by a group of local business owners who wanted to bring life back to Downtown Warrensburg. One of my proudest accomplishments has been helping Burg Fest, our annual fall street festival, evolve from an event attracting 5,000–8,000 attendees to one that now welcomes over 30,000 people downtown. What began as a small community gathering has grown into a major county celebration with a carnival, more than 100 vendors, and the ability to generate revenue that supports the event’s future growth. What sets us apart is our commitment to both fun and function, creating experiences that not only bring people downtown, but also strengthen our local economy and sense of community.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something many people don’t know about me is that I originally went to school to become a photojournalist. I was accepted into three top journalism programs and even minored in photography before deciding to take a different path. That creative foundation has stayed with me, though. I still love to write and capture moments, and I take most of the photos for our nonprofit’s events and for Downtown Warrensburg. Also while serving as Assistant Director, I started my own small business managing social media for local companies. It was a rewarding way to help other small business owners tell their stories online. I continued that work until stepping into the Executive Director role, where I now get to combine all those creative skills with community leadership every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://warrensburgmainstreet.org
- Instagram: @wburgmainstreet
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WarrensburgMainStreet
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiedebacker/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@wburgmainstreet
