Posted January 28, 2025

She brings a lifetime of experience in organizational marketing, large-scale event management, and nonprofit growth and development, as well as a demonstrated commitment to historic preservation and the economic health of our small businesses. Garcia Mullins is no stranger to the Florida Main Street community. Prior to this appointment, Garcia Mullins served as the Assistant Director at MainStreet DeLand. In that role, her leadership played a pivotal role in achieving some of the highest awards on the state level and has built valued relationships on the state and local level with intentions of bringing tremendous resources and value to our local community and program. Stephanie will continue working closely with volunteers, the Board of Directors, staff, and community partners to further MainStreet DeLand’s mission to ensure the preservation and economic health of Historic Downtown DeLand.

“I love this community and am proud to be raising my family here in West Volusia. I am honored to accept this great responsibility within MainStreet DeLand and continue to work in my community alongside such a dedicated team of volunteers and staff,” said Garcia Mullins. “Together, we will continue this incredible work of telling DeLand’s story, protecting our historic structures, producing wonderful community events, and creating economic opportunities for downtown’s small business owners.”

Garcia Mullins will succeed former Executive Director, Wayne Carter, who faithfully served DeLand and MainStreet for 11 years.

“West Volusia Tourism has partnered with MainStreet DeLand since it began! We’ve enjoyed our relationship with Stephanie as Assistant Director and look forward to working with her and her new role!” Georgia Carter Turner, Executive Director of the West Volusia Tourism Authority

MainStreet DeLand Association has been serving Historic Downtown DeLand since 1985. For forty years, it has worked to provide resources to property and business owners in Downtown DeLand, create economic opportunity, and partner with the City of DeLand to preserve the historic properties and create an inviting downtown for the public to enjoy. Under Garcia Mullins’s leadership, the organization aims to deepen the support and resources available to property and business owners, continue to pull together private and public partnerships to ensure Downtown DeLand meets the needs of DeLand residents, strengthen partnerships, and advocate for small businesses and historic structures.

"On behalf of the City of DeLand, I want to extend our warmest congratulations to Stephanie Garcia Mullins on her appointment as the new Executive Director of the MainStreet DeLand Association. Stephanie brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to this vital role. We are confident that under her leadership, the MainStreet DeLand Association will continue to thrive and contribute significantly to the ongoing success of our vibrant downtown district. The City of DeLand is committed to supporting the downtown area and its businesses, and we look forward to a strong and collaborative partnership with Stephanie, MainStreet, and all our downtown stakeholders." Michael Pleus, City Manager, City of DeLand, Florida

About MainStreet DeLand Association:
MainStreet DeLand Association is a 501(c)(3) charitable cause dedicated to supporting and enhancing the continuing economic development of Downtown DeLand while protecting and promoting its historic heritage. Since its designation in 1985, the organization has been instrumental in reimagining the design of downtown, attracting investors and business owners, and advocating for economic opportunity for small businesses in Downtown DeLand. The organization is the only Main Street in the U.S. to be the recipient of both the Great American Main Street Award (1997) and America’s Best Main Street (2017).