CMSC ANNOUNCEMENT
October 17, 2022

Connecticut Main Street Center announces the departure of Kimberley Parsons-Whitaker, Senior Director of Main Street Services & Projects, effective Friday, October 21^st. Kim will be assuming a new post with the Connecticut Department of Community and Economic Development, where she’ll serve as Community Development Specialist, managing the CT Communities Challenge Grant Program.

Kim joined CMSC in 2001, shortly after the then-Connecticut Light & Power Company (now Eversource) restructured the original CT Main Street Program into the Connecticut Main Street Center, an independent non-profit. Over that time, CMSC’s member communities relied on Kim as she guided them through community visioning and planning, in-depth consultancies, and countless training and networking events, in addition to her endless advice and encouragement.

Kim contributed enormously to the growth and success of CMSC, helping to grow membership to over 80 communities, more than doubling the staff, and most recently serving as Interim CEO. She leaves the organization with an expanded team of professionals to assist Main Streets across the state and in the capable hands of new Executive Director, Michelle McCabe.

Kim is looking forward to the opportunity to transition into a new role after many years with CMSC. “While my colleagues have known about this for a while, I’m glad I can finally share the news with everyone else. I’m proud of what CMSC has accomplished and thrilled with where it’s headed. I’m excited to see what they do next and excited about taking on this new challenge at DECD. It really feels like a natural evolution for CMSC and for me,” said Kim.

“Kim did an excellent job helming the organization through its transition and laying the foundation for me to be able to jump right in. DECD is a great partner of ours, and it will be a tremendous benefit to have Kim’s specific expertise at the State level. I am thrilled for Kim as she starts this exciting new chapter and look forward to working with her in her new capacity,” said Michelle McCabe, CMSC Executive Director.

“Kim has been a mainstay here at CT Main Street Center for decades. She was a go-to resource to myself when serving as the Mayor of Torrington and has remained so during my service on the Board of Directors. Her contributions to downtowns in Connecticut are incalculable. On behalf of the Board here at CT Main Street Center, we wish her the best in her new role with DECD and look forward to working with Kim for many years to come,” said Ryan Bingham, CMSC Board Chair.

CMSC is looking forward to celebrating Kim at a December event. In the meantime, please join us in thanking Kim for her service to CMSC and Connecticut’s downtowns, and wishing her much success in her new role at DECD.