News Release

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Amy Barrett, amy.barrett@mbdowntown.org

Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance

Myrtle Beach, SC – March 2, 2023 – Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance Announces Change of
Leadership.

Amy Barrett, President and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Downtown Alliance has announced that
she will be leaving her position in April.

“When I came to Myrtle Beach in late 2021, I knew the first year of MBDA would be about
building relationships, establishing trust, and reinforcing the concept of what it means to be a
‘place management organization.’ I also knew this model is different from past initiatives
focused on downtown revitalization. My leadership talents have been well suited to this moment
of time and should set the stage for the next phase of work for the MBDA,” said Amy, “and I look
forward to seeing everything we have worked on together come to fruition in the years to come.”

“I want to thank my board and staff and especially the City of Myrtle Beach for being such great
partners,” Amy added.

“Having already delivered a broad range of accomplishments, Amy Barrett has decided to move
on to other professional opportunities,” said Dr. David A. DeCenzo, Chairman of the Myrtle
Beach Downtown Alliance Board of Directors. “Amy has done outstanding work in broadening
the support and engagement of an impressive range of downtown constituencies. She’s hired a
first-rate staff and proven herself to be a true team builder. She’s given us positive momentum
to build on and we wish her all the best with her future professional opportunities.”

Key MBDA accomplishments under her tenure include the adoption of the Municipal
Improvement District, creating positive media attention on the vision for the Downtown’s future,
strengthening events and programming, renewing focus on Broadway Street as the region’s
Main Street District as well as retaining and recruiting new and legacy tenants.

“Most of Myrtle Beach’s history has been dedicated to building a tourism-centric economy. In
recent years, an effective public/private alliance has begun to bring to life a transformative vision
for the future of our downtown area. Amy’s leadership as the CEO of the Myrtle Beach
Downtown Alliance has been instrumental in pulling key stakeholders together for a common
goal,” added Clay D. Brittain, III, a One Grand Strand board member. Privately funded, One
Grand Strand is comprised of local business and community leaders who wish to support the
efforts of local organizations diversifying the economy, revitalizing downtown Myrtle Beach, and
advancing opportunities for residents and their families.

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Brenda Bethune, Mayor of Myrtle Beach, reinforced the major commitments the City has made
to the implementation of the Downtown Master Plan. “We’ve made enormous progress in recent
years with a significant investment of time and talent to reimagining what our Downtown will look
like. It’s been a non-stop effort to create a dynamic, visionary re-imagining of a downtown alive
with activity, able to attract more full-time residents, and enhancing the quality of life for all our
citizens with major changes such as the Arts and Innovation District. Working with Amy has
been a highly productive collaborative experience. We look forward to working with new
leadership of MBDA once it is in place,” said Mayor Bethune.