Excitingly, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Virginia Main Street (VMS) program has expanded and welcomed several new staff members that will help it create lasting impact in downtowns and commercial districts across the state! Get to know our new teammates below:

Courtney Mailey | VMS Program Manager | courtney.mailey@dhcd.virginia.gov

Since early 2022, Courtney Mailey has been Acting Program Manager of VMS. But, as of last week, she was named the official Program Manager for Virginia’s Main Street America Coordinating Program! In addition to leading the VMS team, Courtney is a small-scale real estate developer, and she’s the proud owner and founder of Blue Bee Cider in Richmond, Virginia. Founded in 2012, Blue Bee is the first urban farm cidery on the East Coast and has pioneered many cider styles in Virginia. For 20+ years, Courtney has been working in community and economic development, and she loves old buildings, fresh ideas and more!

Nicole Childress | VMS Program Administrator | nicole.childress@dhcd.virginia.gov

In May 2022, Nicole Childress joined the VMS team as a Program Administrator! Nicole is a native to Southwest Virginia (SWVA), and she previously served as the Executive Director of the Abingdon Main Street Alliance (AMSA) in Abingdon, Virginia. She has also held roles at Feeding America SWVA and Barter Theatre. Nicole studied marketing and photography at Virginia Intermont College, and she’s an avid plant person, photographer and artist that loves making genuine connections with people, fostering collaboration and exploring the places that make Virginia so special.

Blaire Buergler | VMS Program Administrator | blaire.buergler@dhcd.virginia.gov

In June 2022, Blaire Buergler joined the VMS team as a Program Administrator! Before hopping aboard the Main Street train, she helped to administer Urgent Need Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) through DHCD’s Program Administration and Assistance Office (PAAO). Blaire has worked in local and state government and nonprofit organizations, and she has had the opportunity to raise funds for a variety of causes and help organizations increase their community awareness and overall sustainability. In her spare time, Blaire enjoys traveling, great food and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Carina DeRoché | Program Specialist | carina.deroche@dhcd.virginia.gov

In June 2022, Carina DeRoché joined DHCD as a Program Specialist, working closely with the VMS team and Microfinance program. Carina recently relocated to Richmond from Greenville, NC where she worked as a Community Relations Coordinator for Pitt County. She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from East Carolina University, along with a Certification in Economic Development, and uses her education and community development background to strengthen communities and ensure their vitality. Carina enjoys burying herself into new books, DIY crafts and planning for the next adventure!