Episode 94: Downtown Ashland Association

Joining the podcast is Maggie Longest who is the Director of the Downtown Ashland Association (DAA).  Paul and Maggie discuss the role of the DAA and how the organization brings local businesses, citizens and the town government together.  They talk about the history of Ashland, the present and future opportunities for businesses in Ashland and the relationships with major stake holders such as Randolph-Macon College.  Maggie also spoke about the events they promote including Train Day which is attended by about 10,000 people.

Paul also had Maggie talk about her life.  Maggie hails from Blacksburg, Va. and went to Virginia Tech for her undergraduate degree in Agriculture Economics.  She worked in Washington DC as a lobbyist and in a senator’s office.  She then decided to go to graduate school at NC State and worked in the NC governor’s office after getting her Master’s degree.  She met her husband in NC who was from Hanover and they decided to move back to Virginia.  They have a 5 year old daughter Linda who is high energy, creative and empathetic and is looking forward to starting kindergarten this fall.