Westerfield steps down from Main Street

After two-and-a-half years as executive director of Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Annmarie Westerfield will depart the organization Sunday, Nov. 17.

Westerfield is resigning to move to Baltimore, following her husband, Bob, who was recently named head of table games at the Horseshoe Casino, expected to open next year.

“I’m excited about Baltimore, even though I don’t have a job yet,” Westerfield quipped. “But my husband is ecstatic.”

She said she would miss the relationships she has fostered with Rehoboth’s businesses and city officials during her time as director. Westerfield said her proudest accomplishment was making the business experience in Rehoboth more personal, by highlighting the business owners themselves in Main Street’s official visitor’s guide. She said she wanted visitors to see the owners behind their favorite restaurants and shops, so that when the visitor walked into the store, they would see a familiar face.

Westerfield took over in August 2011 from Jenny Barger; her last function as executive director will be Main Street’s annual Cottage and Town Awards. Westerfield relocated to Rehoboth from Smithville, N.J., where she managed shops in the Towne of Historic Smithville. She also worked in the casino industry in Atlantic City.

In addition to her duties running the day-to-day operations of Main Street, Westerfield also worked on Main Street’s street banners, planning the annual July 4 fireworks and Chocolate Festival and setting up the Community Unity Dinner, which she said she is disappointed she will not be able to attend this year.

Rehoboth Main Street founder and board of directors member Kathy McGuiness said there is no timetable to replace Westerfield, although the sooner the better.

“She did a wonderful job,” McGuiness said. “I have nothing but good things to say about Annmarie.”

“She was fantastic,” Main Street President Alyssa Titus said. “She’s been one of the best directors Main Street has ever had. Those are going to be hard shoes to fill.”

Titus said Rehoboth Main Street and its parent organization, Delaware Main Street, would coordinate a nationwide search for a new executive director. She said she hopes a new director will be in place by Wednesday, Jan. 1. Until that time, board members and office staffers will shoulder Westerfield’s duties, Titus said.