About Taos MainStreet

MainStreet Taos is a community-led nonprofit working to revitalize downtown Taos through strategic investment, cultural preservation, and public engagement. Rooted in the Main Street America framework, we believe in the power of place — and the people who make it thrive. Our work centers on collaboration, creativity, and a deep respect for the history and future of this region.

Vision

We believe that the plaza district is for everyone – it is a safe walkable, and bikeable place with a strong, diverse economy and thriving businesses. It features vibrant and inviting public spaces where residents and visitors feel like they belong. At the core of our approach to revitalization is a commitment to creating places of shared prosperity, equal access to opportunity, and sustained, inclusive engagement.

Mission

MainStreet Taos is a community-led nonprofit working to revitalize downtown Taos through strategic investment, cultural preservation, and public engagement. Rooted in the Main Street America framework, we believe in the power of place, and the people who make it thrive. Our work centers on collaboration, creativity, and a deep respect for the history and future of this region.

What We Do

We're launching new programs, partnerships, and public-facing events to:

  • Reinforce the Plaza as a symbol of shared identity

  • Support local businesses and entrepreneurs

  • Promote responsible tourism that uplifts our community

  • Reclaim trust through transparency, collaboration, and action

Meet the Team

  • FOUNDER • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Charles Whitson was born and raised in Taos. He is the Director for Taos MainStreet and a nonprofit and business professional with over 20 years of experience. A graduate of UNM and a proud Lobo, he returned to his hometown in 2018 where he lives with his wife and two children. He took the position as Taos MainStreet’s first Executive Director on January 1, 2020. He is responsible for daily operations, planning, and building strategic public and private partnerships. He is currently leading Taos MainStreet through an evolution, one where the organization will step into its new role of providing visionary, transformational leadership for the community. Under his leadership and the leadership of the Board of Directors, Taos MainStreet is committed to making the Historic Plaza District an inclusive, vibrant, civic space, where residents and visitors of all ages feel like they belong. 

    Charles also serves as Treasurer for the New Mexico Coalition of MainStreet Communities in order to help highlight the work of MainStreet with the state legislature and strengthen MainStreet programs across the state. Outside of working hours he spends time coaching youth sports and enjoys snowboarding, golf, archery, hiking, bicycling, and taking full advantage of the great outdoors and the amazing quality of life Taos has to offer.

  • VICE PRESIDENT • SECRETARY

    I grew up in Taos, where my family has been for generations.
    I recognize the importance of honoring culture, tradition, and history. My dad taught me about farming, agriculture, and water. I loved playing in the Acequia, which my daughters now do. 

    I have been a Registered Nurse (BSN), for nearly ten years. I come from a family of nurses, whom I look up to. My nursing background includes long-term care, critical care, diagnostic imaging/interventional radiology, and hospice care. My passion for holistic end-of-life care, led me to my current role as Co-founder and Executive Director of Red Willow Hospice, a community-based and integrative hospice.

    My interest in volunteering, strategic planning, creativity, and community collaborations brought me to becoming a Board Member for the following organization: Taos Pueblo Foundation, Taos Elders and Neighbors Together, Holy Cross Medical Center, Taos Whole Community Health, and Taos County Chamber of Commerce. 

    I am excited to share ideas and be a resource for community growth and development, health, and wellness.

  • COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

    As the new Community Engagement Coordinator at Taos MainStreet, Arcenio enjoys this important role and his daily schedule. Born and raised in Northern New Mexico, Arcenio fulfills a lifelong desire to directly serve his community by showcasing the wonderful aspects of downtown Taos. Married for 37 years, he and his wife Yvonne have been blessed with four children, Aurora, Adonis, Arcenio III and Candido. Coming from an athletic family, Arcenio has been a coach and athletic director and has worked extensively with Native American Youth in New Mexico and Arizona. Arcenio received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado in 1996 in Business Administration, however, his career track has consistently veered towards education and public service. Within the Taos MainStreet suite, Arcenio has the privilege of getting to know the various owners, managers and shopkeepers of current downtown businesses; and spend considerable time inside the historic Taos Plaza. He is also involved in organizing events designed to invite and welcome everyone to the heart of Taos.

  • BOARD MEMBER

    Comes from a multi-generational Taos family and is a long time Taos resident. Her family owns several key historic properties downtown including Casa Benevidez, McCarthy Plaza, and The Rock House. Ruthann is also the owner of a new Plaza favorite, The Legacy Cafe.

  • DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND EVALUATION, LANL FOUNDATION

    Kersti Tyson joined the LANL Foundation in 2019. Kersti’s primary focus is utilizing research and evaluation to support the Foundation’s mission, vision, values and strategies across the spectrum of public education. Kersti will help both internal and external stakeholders to develop evaluation methods that demonstrate program impact, reflect on results and drive ongoing program improvement. Her research will assess community needs in order to develop new programs and refine existing ones.

    Kersti’s early career as a math teacher in Santa Fe and Taos sparked her interest in how children learn. That prompted her to pursue a master’s in intercultural communication through the University of New Mexico’s Communication & Journalism department, convinced that culture plays an important role in how we learn.

    After completing her master’s, Kersti spent four years working for the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) on Teacher Quality Policies, joining the first PED unit to focus on building quality teachers in New Mexico. The position provided useful experience for understanding how leadership and policy decisions impact teachers, students and communities, but her heart was really devoted to improving children’s opportunities to learn in NM, so she entered the Learning Sciences Program at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash., to earn her PhD. As a learning scientist, Kersti learns about learning in order to support the complex work teachers accomplish with children every day.

    Kersti returned to New Mexico, joining the faculty of the University of New Mexico’s College of Education, where she taught elementary mathematics methods and graduate courses in education for educators and researchers. She earned tenure and the rank of Associate Professor in 2018.

    As a native New Mexican whose family goes back several generations, Kersti values the cultural diversity of the state and is looking forward to helping Northern New Mexico communities build on the strengths they already possess and providing opportunities for children to express their natural brilliance.

  • BOARD MEMBER

    Realtor, Paige Sullivan Group Berkshire Hathaway

    Ryan Trujillo currently serves as an Associate Broker with the Page Sullivan Group of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Taos Real Estate where he assists both property sellers and buyers with all their real estate needs. Ryan Trujillo was born and raised in Taos, NM where he graduated from Taos High School in 2008z After his graduation, Ryan headed West to attend Occidental College in Los Angeles. While at Occidental, he played Division III collegiate soccer and received a Bachelor of Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations. During his summer and winter vacations, he frequently returned home to visit family, volunteer with numerous local organizations helping advance the well-being of the greater community, and spend quality time outdoors skiing or hiking.

    Prior to becoming a Broker Associate with Berkshire Hathaway, Ryan lived and traveled throughout Europe (including short adventures in South America & Asia), he worked for various sports and entertainment organizations, and more recently, managed a marketing team for a fast-growth global software company. Immediately following college, Ryan had the opportunity to teach children English in Murcia, Spain, and travel throughout Europe where he immersed himself in many local communities and cultures. Upon returning back to the U.S., Ryan worked for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer where he led the Corporate Sales team and helped to promote a brand new state-of-the-art sports stadium. Following his stint with Major League Soccer, he was recruited by a fast-growing global software company known as WalkMe Inc. to help lead their North America Marketing team. While at WalkMe, he managed million-dollar budgets, planned and executed corporate events, collaborated with the online marketing team, and served as a brand ambassador helping the organization to reach a billion-dollar-plus valuation. In July 2019, Ryan returned home to be closer to family, and begin helping people with all of their real estate needs.

  • TREASURER

    was born and raised in Taos.He currently works for Fidelity Investments as a Senior Manager in Retirement Brokerage Services. A graduate of Taos High School, class of 2008, Juan Carlos went on to graduate from The University of New Mexico with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Business.

    Like many, the COVID pandemic brought about massive change for Juan Carlos. One positive change was the ability to work from home. He took the idea of working from home quite literally and moved back to his beloved Taos in November of 2020.

    With his love for Taos, Juan Carlos has looked to become more engaged with the community. He hopes that through this work, he will be able to help families craft nourishing lives like his own.

Partners & Sponsors

New Mexico MainStreet develops local capacity to engage people, rebuild places and grow the entrepreneurial, creative and business environment resulting in economically thriving downtowns, greater business and employment opportunities and a higher quality of life.

As a Main Street America Affiliate™, Downtown Taos MainStreet is part of a national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

Taos MainStreet District

238 businesses
~22 square blocks

To find out more about the businesses in the District, visit our Business Directory