MEET THE BOARD
DONALD BENNETT
President
Donald Bennett moved to Marion in July 2013 and immediately began rennovations on a family home. His favorite thing to do in marion is eat at the local restaurants and engage with the community to discuss resoration improvements and possibilities for growth.
Josh Watford
Executive Director
Josh Watford since January 2014, this year marking his tenth anniversary as a resident of Marion. Josh serves as Associate Pastor at Siloam Baptist Church, teacher at Marion Academy, and physical training assistant for Marion Military Institute'a Service Academy Preparatory program. He is married to Rebecca Watford, who is a Judson College Alumna and a current employee of Marion Military Institute. Josh and Rebecca have two sons, Judah and Josiah. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is on track to complete by the Spring of 2025.Josh is excited to begin his role as Executive Director of Main Street Marion and hopes to be a galvanizing voice for Marion's growth and success.
Katrina Easley
Roy Barnett
Roy Barnett has lived in Marion all his life. An active family man, business owner, church deacon and community representative, Roy is a charter member of the Main Street Marion Board of Directors.
COL. DAVID MOLLAHAN
Col. Mollahan is the president of Marion Military Institute and has lived in Marion for a little over 10 years. His favorite thing to do in Marion is sitting on the porch at the MMI President's Mansion in the evening when the colors are coming down and hearing the Cadets yell Truth, Honor, Service.
DONNA BENNETT, Secretary
Donna Bennett has lived in Marion for 8 years. She retired from Delta Air Lines after 25 years of service in Michigan as an Administrative Assistant, and decided to move south for the warmer climate. She loves managing her Bed & Breakfast, Bennett Suites B&B, and finding new recipes to cook. She enjoys reading and has a personal library of over 2,000 books!
COL. ED PASSMORE, Vice President
Colonel Passmore arrived in Marion in 2013 after retiring from the Army, to fulfill his wish to settle down in a “southern retirement home” with his wife, Susan, who's family has been in Marion for 6 generations. Colonel Passmore’s favorite thing to do in Marion is working at MMI. He believes Marion has phenomenal untapped potential, and all the makings to be a very fun, attractive and prosperous place to live and work.
Jennifer McMillan, Treasurer
In 2020 Jennifer and her husband Don moved to Marion for his work. They had three adjoining counties to choose from but ultimately chose Perry County and Marion because of proximity to family and their love of old houses and history. When asked what her favorite thing about the Marion community is Jennifer said, "One of the most rewarding opportunities we have had is through our work with Project Horseshoe Farms. As the Director I have the honor and privilege of hosting and working with some of the nation's top college graduates who come to Marion for a community health focused, leadership fellowship service gap year..
Susan Passmore, Grants Officer
Susan Passmore;s family has been in Perry County for 6 generations. Growing up in a Military family, Susan spent most of her childhood in Washington DC and Europe. She and her husband Ed retired and moved to Marion in 2014 and have been actively engaged in the revitalization of Marion since that time. From buying and renovating a building downtown to serve as a community art center to funding facade improvement projects to decorating the park and empty storefronts for Christmas each year, the Passmores donate their time and funds to the revitalization of Marion each and every day.
