Board of Directors & Staff

Downtown Manhattan, Inc.

Did you Know? Downtown Manhattan, Inc is a non profit community volunteer organization
working in the areas of economic development, street design and place making, retail and business
recruitment and marketing and promotion. It is our mission to increase consumer awareness; to
strengthen retail and professional business institutions; to increase the economic vitality of the City’s
center and to promote and attract new businesses to the downtown.

The DMI Board of Directors is grateful for your donation towards making events like this
possible!

Donate Here!

President: Blake Bauer: Owner of Icon Investments

Vice-President: Amanda Aslin, General Manager of Tallgrass Tap House

Treasurer:Ben Burton: Owner of Community House & Switchgrass Development

Board Members at Large:

Jasmine Walker: Owner of Brown’s Shoe Fit

Blade Mages: Executive Director of Wareham Hall

Cindy LaBarge: Owner of J&C Imaging

Chad Chase: Managing Principal at CGN Advisors

Dan Michaels: Operations Director at Eagle Radio

Damen Scheele: Community Bank President of United Bank and Trust

Ex-Officio Board Members:

Stephanie Peterson: Director of Community Development for City of Manhattan

Amanda Webb: Planning and Special Projects Director for Riley County

Christy Chase: Marketing Specialist at Anderson Knight Architects

Staff:

Gina Snyder: Executive Director, DMI

Sherri Minick: Director of Event Management, DMI

Erin Backensto: Bookkeeper, DMI

Liv Olsen: Office Manager, DMI

Donovan Barber: Groundskeeper, DMI

 

Downtown Manhattan, Inc. Goals and Objectives
2026

Downtown Manhattan, Inc. Board of Directors work to uphold the mission of the organization when setting goals, objectives and initiatives.

Mission Statement:

Downtown Manhattan, Inc is a not-for profit community volunteer organization working in the areas of
economic development, street design, retail and business recruitment and marketing and promotion. It
is our mission to increase consumer awareness; to strengthen retail and professional business
institutions; to increase the economic vitality of the City’s center and to promote and attract new
businesses to the downtown.

• • Organizational and Administrative Processes and Efficiencies
    • Secure Partners for 2026 Downtown Partners Corporate Sponsorship Program
    • Advocate for economic opportunities that enhance or improve the downtown district as a whole and are aesthetically appealing and maintain our walkability.
    • Secure FY2027 funding for improved programming and street enhancements
    • New Website
    • Establish a retail committee for the purpose of preserving and strengthening downtown retail through strategic, collaborative planning. 
    • 2026 fundraising grant(s) to offset event and beautification costs.
  • Partnerships, Sponsorships and Collaborative Efforts
    • Create regional partnerships to support our mission of growing our patronage while strengthening entertainment districts through shared knowledge
    • Grow existing partnerships with Kansas State University through annual programming and events and shared human capital 
  • Events, Programming and Management
    • Create signature retail event with retailer collaboration 
    • Work towards comprehensive art programming by; collaboration with artists, musicians, performers and organizations to offer mostly free, accessible experiences
    • Be Together Initiative; continue to be a place for all to gather by offering both large and small events, maintaining welcoming public spaces and fostering community connection through collaboration with local and regional stakeholders
    • Enhance and expand our Shop Small First retail campaign through marketing, branding and retail events and trends

• Ongoing and Within 5 Years

• •  Work with Public Works to develop a process for use of public rights-of-way during construction
  • Work with Public Works and CMO to ensure maintenance on district infrastructure is done in a timely manner. Sidewalks, curbs, crosswalks, mill and overlay on parking lots, tree replacements, striping of crosswalks and stalls etc.
  • Advocate for the funding of Frost Plaza. 
  • Begin overhaul of holiday lighting; replace worn materials, bulbs and deteriorated displays
  • Continue Houston Street beautification with flower baskets and flags and the bracket systems
  • Begin Downtown parking garage discussion