Fayette Main Street’s board of directors has announced the hiring of a full-time executive director for the organization, Mike Dimond.

A 1980 graduate of Fayette High School, Dimond is a Fayette native with decades of experience in the non-profit world, having retired recently from the Boys Scouts of America. He and his wife recently moved back to Fayette. Dimond earned a degree from Central Methodist College (now University) in 1985.

Dimond said as soon as he saw the announcement that Main Street wanted to hire an executive director, he sent in the paperwork. 

“I grew up here,” he said. “I want to see Fayette prosper and thrive. Not for my future, but for our kids’ futures. I am very fortunate that I can do something for which I have a passion, which is helping the community I love.”

FMS President Kyle Elliott said he expects Dimond to start his work around the first of February. Office details on the Square are still being worked out.

“We are thrilled to have someone with Mike’s experience become an advocate for growth in our town,” Elliott said. “Mike brings a diverse skill set to us, and his longtime ties to the community will allow him to hit the ground running.”

Elliott said some of Dimond’s chief responsibilities would be new business recruitment, support for existing businesses, and building relationships not only with city and county officials, but also at the state-level to explore opportunities that could lead to growth and improvement on the Square.

Dimond said his objective as executive director is to see Fayette’s downtown grow, and to see vacant buildings filled with interesting and quality businesses. “Whatever is good for downtown is good for the whole town.”

Elliott said funding for the position comes from Missouri Main Street, Central Methodist University, Fayette, and Howard County.