The Ames Regional Economic Alliance has appointed Ronnie Olson as the new executive director of Ames Main Street. Olson joined the Alliance in 2024 and most recently served as investor relations coordinator. In her new role, she will oversee daily operations, programming and public relations for Ames Main Street, working with the organization’s board, the city of Ames and local investors to promote downtown vitality. Olson will also maintain responsibility for business programming in Huxley in collaboration with the city of Huxley, a role she assumed in 2025. “Over the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to build strong connections within the downtown community, and I look forward to building on that momentum to support our businesses and create an even more vibrant downtown experience,” Olson said in a news release.