It’s July, and time to kickoff a new fiscal year! With the new year comes some notable and exciting updates from the Downtown Billings Association (DBA) Board of Directors. The DBA Board is pleased to announce Nick Steen, Owner and Head Chef of Walkers and Bin 119, as the incoming DBA Board President. The DBA Board also welcomes the addition of two new board members; Sue Baker, co-owner of Yarn Bar and Linda Brooks, owner of SomethingChic.
Matt Blakeslee, Executive Director of ArtHouse Cinema and the Babcock Theatre, is the outgoing DBA Board President. Blakeslee graciously accepted the role in July 2020, during a turbulent and unprecedented time for the downtown and Billings small business community. It was during that time Blakeslee and our CEO, Katy Schreiner, worked tirelessly with our Board of Directors to create the DBA’s current single tier membership structure, launch the successful Downtown Billings Gift Card Program, and the DBA’s First Year Membership Program offering a free DBA Membership to newly opened downtown businesses. The First Year Membership program was created to remove some tangible and intangible barriers often felt by first year business owners. This program introduces new business owners to the DBA and the work we do downtown. It allows them to feel the value a DBA membership offers them and their neighborhood, all without any upfront cost. The new business owners appreciate the chance to connect with their neighbors and the other DBA members to further help strengthen the downtown community.
Pictured: Matt Blakeslee and DBA CEO Katy Schreiner presenting Downtown Spotlight Awards during the 2023 DBA Member Social.
“We’re so thankful for Matt’s guidance during his two terms as Board President and I am incredibly grateful that he has elected to remain a valued member of the DBA Board of Directors.”
Katy schreiner, Downtown Billings ceo
The DBA Board of Directors represent our DBA Membership. Both the board and membership consist of downtown business owners, property owners, residents, and community leaders who support boosting the downtown economy. The DBA Board guides and advocates on behalf of the DBA membership to the various other Boards within the Downtown Billings organization, local and regional community development and economic development organizations, and to local city and county government staff, council, and commissions. The DBA Board guides and advises on topics of: membership, overall downtown marketing and communication efforts, economic development, downtown safety, downtown beautification and more. The members and officers of the DBA Board of Directors each commit to a two-year term. In fact, we’ve been lucky and many of our committed board members have served multiple terms.
“I am so grateful for the willingness of these individuals to serve on this Board. The DBA Board has a full year ahead as they guide our staff, the BID and DBP Boards, and our amazing downtown community toward accomplishing many great things.”
Katy Schreiner, Downtown Billings CEO
The DBA Board meets at 8:00am on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the DBA office (102 N. 29th Street). Meetings are open to the public.
The DBA Board of Directors consists of:
- President/Chair, Nick Steen
Walkers Grill & Bin 119
Term expires 2025 - Vice President, Jana Marcette
MSU Billings
Term expires 2026 - Treasurer, Shaydean Saye
Rocky Mountain College
Term expires 2026 - Secretary, Amanda Jungles
Cushing Terrell
Term expires 2025 - Matt Blakeslee
ArtHouse Cinema and Babcock Theatre
Term expires 2026 - Jennifer Reiser
Billings Chamber of Commerce
Term expires 2026 - Dusty Eaton
A&E Designs
Term expires 2025 - Julie Seedhouse
Century 21 Hometown Brokers
Term expires 2025 - Shea Dawson
Thirsty Street Brewing Co.
Term expires 2025 - Sue Baker
Yarn Bar
Term expires 2026 - Linda Brooks
Something Chic
Term expires 2026
Ad Hoc Members/Representatives:
- Mehmet Casey, Downtown Billings Partnership
- Leyna Kingman, Yellowstone Valley Farmers Market
- Billings Cultural Partners
- Parking Advisory Board