STRUTTON ’ S SUPPORT FOR DUNCAN EXTENDS FAR BEYOND MAIN ST . DISTRICT
For a little over a year , Billie Strutton has dedicated herself to Main Street Duncan and its future . But if you ’ ve ever had a conversation with her , you know her passion for Duncan and all it entails extends far beyond her district .
It takes a tremendous amount of strategy to run a Main Street program . Between planning events , boosting customer and merchant relations , putting in overtime when it comes to volunteer hours , leading committees and promoting a quality of life for the city , Billie takes the lead on it all . She began doing so when she took over as interim head honcho on Jan . 24 , 2022 , and received her official title as Main Street Duncan ’ s Executive Director on May 1 , 2022 .
This wasn ’ t Strutton ’ s first trade , but it ’ s a fitting title for her now after owning a small business of her own .
After graduating high school , Strutton took the opportunity to live in Japan for two and half years . That experience brought her more appreciation for not only other cultures and their customs , but also for her original stomping grounds . She knew then Duncan is where she would want to raise her family , so she returned in 2000 .
“ In 2005 , I had the opportunity to become an insurance agent
STORY BY CHARLENE BELEW | PHOTOS BY JASON HODGES
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BILLIE STRUTTON WALKS THROUGH THE MAIN STREET DISTRICT ON A SUNNY AFTERNOON .
and owned my own agency for 16 years ,” Strutton said . “ Having experienced first-hand the struggles small business owners face helps me in my current role of supporting our downtown businesses .”
Having her own agency equipped Strutton with flexibility to lead the life best suited for her family while simultaneously preparing her for her position today .
“ As women we have the challenge of trying to balance having a career and having a family . We want to be present in our children ’ s lives , but with our careers we don ’ t always have the flexibility to . I think this can lead to feelings of guilt and can affect the positions we accept in the workforce ,” Strutton explained . “ For me , having a family first led to getting a later start on my career . I was very blessed to have the opportunity to own my own business , which gave me a more flexible schedule during the years my children were in school .”
After 21 years in the insurance industry , Strutton decided to hang it up and find a change . She sold her agency in fall 2021 , just months before she stepped into the interim role for Main Street .
Aside from having her own business , Strutton has an accounting degree from Cameron University , where she graduated as a Magna Cum Laude and fulfilled her dream of getting a degree after her own children graduated college . She utilized Duncan ’ s satellite campus , which is another jewel she believes our community has to offer .
“ Because we have a campus in Duncan , I was able to take all the classes I needed here or online and complete my degree in four years ,” she said . “ We are very fortunate to have the Cameron University Duncan campus .”
Strutton is also a graduate of the Duncan Chamber of Commerce ’ s Leadership Duncan program . Strutton credits this program as the eye-opener when it came to opportunities to get involved .
“ This experience fueled a passion
12 DUNCAN MAGAZINE | SPRING 2023