Anniston Main Street Executive Director Resigns

Phillip Stephenson Jr.

For the third time in as many years, the Main Street Anniston Program, formerly the Spirit of Anniston will be searching for  a new executive director.  The head of the nonprofit program that promotes downtown Anniston resigned last week, about eight months after he took the job.

Ann Welch, chairwoman of the board of directors of for Main Street Anniston, said executive director Phillip Stephenson Jr. resigned Feb. 13 for personal reasons. The board hired Stephenson in July.

Welch said the organization's office manager, Charity Duncan, would act as interim director — a role she has had to fill before.

Stephenson, came to the nonprofit just six months after his predecessor, Dianna Michaels, left the position, also after working for less than a year.

Welch said she did not know when a search might begin for a new director.

Stephenson's resignation came as the City Council established a downtown development authority in a vote on Monday. The goal of the authority is to help lure business to downtown and work in tandem with Main Street Anniston, which hosts several events each year, such as First Fridays.