Paso Robles Main Street enters year of transition following Norma Moye’s passing
By Hayley Mattson · Thu Feb 19 2026
Interim leaders Jeffry Wiesinger and Margaret Heely-Holstine pledge steady guidance, continued events, and a renewed commitment to downtown community and legacy
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles Main Street Association is entering what leaders call a year of transition following the death of longtime Executive Director Norma Moye, whose decades of service helped shape downtown into a thriving destination for residents and visitors alike.
Stepping into interim leadership roles are Jeffry Wiesinger as executive director and Margaret Heely-Holstine as board president. Both say they are committed to honoring Moye’s legacy while guiding the organization forward with steady, community-focused leadership.
Wiesinger, who has served as board president for the past five years and owns Jeffry’s Wine County BBQ, a restaurant adjacent to the Main Street office, downtown district, said accepting the interim executive director role was about service and continuity.
“Having been board president and owning a restaurant right next door, I understand how important this organization is to the downtown business district and the community,” Wiesinger said. “My respect and admiration for Norma, and my desire to see this organization continue to grow and go to a higher level, made it an honor to step in.”
He emphasized that no single person can replace Moye.
“I don’t think any one person will ever be able to fill Norma’s shoes,” Wiesinger said. “What she meant to this community is immeasurable. Her impact on Paso Robles is inspiring.”
Moye’s leadership helped elevate signature events such as Taste of Downtown, the Olive and Lavender Festival, Downtown Lighting Ceremony, Vintage Sidecar Rendezvous, and other community gatherings that draw thousands each year. Wiesinger said he was inspired not only by her organizational leadership but by her example of volunteerism and civic pride.
“She inspired multiple generations about what it means to take care of your community — coming together, and working together to do great things,” he said. “That’s the legacy we want to carry forward.”
In the weeks following Moye’s passing, Wiesinger said he and Heely-Holstine were in near-daily communication to ensure operations continued smoothly. As board chair at the time, Wiesinger began handling executive duties immediately.
“Since the day Norma passed away, Margaret and I have been in almost daily communication,” he said. “Her help and advice have been invaluable.”
Recognizing the expanded scope of responsibilities, the board voted to appoint Wiesinger as interim executive director and selected Heely-Holstine — a veteran leader with decades of involvement — to serve as interim board president.
“There was an obvious choice,” Wiesinger said. “There is no one more qualified to help guide this next generation of Main Street than Margaret Heely-Holstine. I give my full support and appreciation for her taking on this position to help us through the transition.”
Heely-Holstine brings more than 30 years of experience with Main Street and a longstanding history in civic service. She previously served on the Paso Robles Planning Commission and acted as liaison to Main Street for a decade before joining the board as a member. Over the years, she has held every executive board position.
“I’ve known Norma for more than 50 years,” Heely-Holstine said. “I believe deeply in our downtown and in our city. I want to support our businesses as we move forward, and together with Jeffry and the board, I know we can do that. We will make Norma proud.”
She said her motivation is rooted in personal connection to downtown merchants and the community they serve.
“I’ve chaired Taste of Downtown. I’ve been to all the businesses. I get to talk to the people and learn what’s going on,” she said. “What drives me is helping the businesses downtown succeed. Their success is Main Street’s success.”
Heely-Holstine described the board as unified and proactive during the transition. The group has been holding weekly meetings, in addition to regular sessions, to maintain momentum and address operational needs.
“The board is extremely strong,” she said. “We’re excited. We’re looking at ways to make our events even better. Not that they weren’t wonderful before, but we have new ideas to inspire people.”
While both leaders are cautious about unveiling specific plans prematurely, they confirmed that all longstanding annual events will continue in 2026.
“All events will be happening this year,” Wiesinger said. “We want to lead with confidence and strength, but we also want to set realistic expectations. These are big shoes to fill.”
He described 2026 as a “transition year,” one focused on stability and thoughtful growth rather than sweeping changes.
Main Street’s funding comes primarily from event production and partnerships tied to downtown promotions. The organization also operates as a community information hub, supporting tourism and economic vitality in the city’s core.
A key source of institutional knowledge remains within the office. Executive Assistant Susanne Anshen, who first joined Main Street in 1995, has served a total of 26 years with the organization and worked closely alongside Moye.
“Susanne is Main Street in many ways,” Wiesinger said. “Her knowledge and history have been invaluable to us as we move through this process.”
“I was hired by Norma and had the privilege of learning ? growing alongside her over the years. It has been an honor to serve with her all this time. I love Main Street, and my goal is to ensure her legacy continues to thrive for years to come,” Anshen shared.
Both Wiesinger and Heely-Holstine stressed that the organization rests on a solid foundation built over decades of volunteer leadership and community support.
“She left us a solid foundation,” Heely-Holstine said of Moye. “That’s where our strength comes from.”
Wiesinger echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the future of Main Street depends largely on community involvement.
“The future of Main Street is dependent on the community,” he said. “It depends on volunteers, on local business leaders, on people who are passionate about Paso Robles.”
He called on residents to step forward and participate in volunteer opportunities and downtown initiatives.
“We need the next generation of people who love and support Paso to step up alongside us,” he said. “We’ve lost our matriarch. We’ve lost a part of the soul that defines our community. But we still stand firm on the strong foundation Norma instilled planted in each of us.”
Wiesinger said leadership in the current climate requires collaboration and unity.
“Leadership is not easy,” he said. “But it is essential. We are at an important time right now. We love downtown Paso Robles and we want to see our city preserve its historic charm, while continuing to thrive as one of the best cities on the Central Coast. Bringing people together for the common good of our community is our main focus.”
He described his guiding philosophy as “leading with hospitality,” a concept rooted in his restaurant background but applicable more broadly.
“Hospitality goes beyond the restaurant industry,” Wiesinger said. “It’s about welcoming people, celebrating family and togetherness, and focusing on all the great things we have in Paso.”
As interim leaders, both Wiesinger and Heely-Holstine said their focus remains on continuity, collaboration, and careful stewardship of an organization that has become central to downtown life.
“This is a beautiful organization,” Heely-Holstine said. “It means a lot to this community. We’re here to support it and make sure it continues to thrive.”
Wiesinger added that while transition will can be challenging, it also presents opportunity.
“The core of the Main Street Association is strong,” he said. “As we look to the future, it will continue to grow be built on the strength of our volunteers, our businesses, and our community, and the legacy that Norma built and leaves behind.. If we continue to rally together, the future is bright.”
For now, they both agreed that the message is simple: “Main Street remains committed, events will continue, and the work of promoting and supporting downtown Paso Robles carries on — grounded in legacy, guided by experience and sustained by community support.”
To get involved or learn more, visit pasoroblesdowntown.org
Feature Image: New Paso Robles Main Street Association Board Interim President Margaret Heely-Holstine (left) and Jeffry Wiesinger who is stepping in as interim executive director. Photo by Hayley Mattson/PRP