The new president of Experience Bryan/College Station, the local convention and tourism agency, spoke about her promotion while she and her staff were at multiple sites running a yearly high school basketball tournament
Kindra Fry says she and her co-workers were ready for a decision, which boiled down to two finalists.
Fry noted challenges from the last seven months that included the voluntary separation agreement with Fry’s predecessor, forming a new board to continue funding from the twin cities, changing the name of what was the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and moving to new offices.
Fry, who has been with the agency for 13 years, says that’s a long time in this industry…which reflects what she thinks about the twin cities.
Fry, who served as interim director the last six months, was selected following three interviews with the new agency board.
Click below for comments from Kindra Fry, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.
News release from Experience Bryan/College Station:
The Board of Directors for Experience Bryan College Station (EBCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kindra Fry to the CEO/President position effective immediately.
A 13-year veteran of the organization leading the sports and events division, Fry has served as Interim CEO since June.
“I am truly honored to be selected for this great opportunity and to serve Bryan and College Station in this capacity. I look forward to leading this organization into the next chapter of its exciting journey.”
The Board conducted a national search which included interviewing two external candidates in addition to Fry. Following three intensive interviews with Fry, it became apparent the candidate with the most potential for success existed from within the organization.
“2004 was an excellent year for our community when Kindra Fry joined (the now titled) Experience Bryan College Station team as the Director of Sports,” EBCS Chairman Jay Primavera said. “13 years of hard work later, Kindra has advanced through the ranks and has proven to be just the leader our community needs to promote BCS. We all look forward to Kindra growing our convention business with the same energy and success as she has with our sports associations.”
Fry began her career in 1999 in Olathe, Kan., when she joined the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as Marketing Manager. Her duties included building a close relationship with the local Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Sports Commission to maximize occupancy of convention attendees. Fry advanced her career in 2004 to become Manager of Sports Marketing & Conventions/Tours for the Olathe Kansas Chamber of Commerce, the city’s CVB.
Fry has earned national recognition for her efforts in leading the Bryan College Station Events & Sports division and has distinguished herself nationally when she was recently appointed the Vice Chair/Chair-Elect for the National Association of Sports Commissions. To round out her education and career she earned the professional designations of Certified Sports Event Executive (CSEE) and the Sports Marketing Professionals (SMP).
Pledging transparency and enhanced communications, Fry says her first goal is to renew trust with the organization’s funding partners, the cities of Bryan and College Station.
Fry has developed a 90-day plan which features a partnership with both cities to jointly create and deliver messages designed to bring more overnight hotel stays to Bryan College Station. Fry plans to evaluate the EBCS staff structure and build her team including recruiting exceptional additions to fill existing vacancies.
“Kindra is all about results and the Board of Directors has placed their full support behind her in this exciting new position,” Primavera said.