Visit Rapid City CEO Ally Formanek. (Photo Credit: Visit Rapid City)
WHY IT RATES: The Rapid City local brings robust experience and expertise to her new role and boasts the distinction of being just the fourth CEO in the destination marketing organization's more than half-century existence.—Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Senior Editor
Visit Rapid City is delighted to announce the appointment of Ally Formanek as its new CEO, effective immediately. A longtime employee of Visit Rapid City, Formanek is the fourth individual to hold this position in the organization’s 53-year history.
“While we searched high and low for the next CEO, it turns out she was right here at home,” said Tim Johnson, Visit Rapid City Board Chair. “As an integral part of our agency for years, Ally is the right person to lead Visit Rapid City. We’re honored she accepted this leadership role.”
Formanek has been serving as Interim CEO since April 1, when the position was left vacant by Brook Kaufman’s departure to Visit Corpus Christi in Texas.
As Visit Rapid City’s CEO, Formanek will lead the organization to promote Rapid as a destination for tourism, meetings and sports, as well as the management of Main Street Square.
As part of its search to find the next CEO, Visit Rapid City had over 200 qualified candidates who were identified through a national search process facilitated by Winner Partners. After interviewing several candidates, the Visit Rapid City Board of Directors approached Formanek about the position.
“I’m honored to be the next CEO for Visit Rapid City,” said Formanek. “I look forward to continuing the amazing work done by my predecessors and continuing to share and promote Rapid City as a world-class destination.”
Formanek has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Black Hills State University and has her SHRM-CP, which is a certification from the Society for Human Resource Management. She has more than 15 years of tourism experience and has worked in local restaurants, hotels and attractions, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Formanek has been with Visit Rapid City since 2016 and over the years has worked in various roles, including finance and operations.
More information about Visit Rapid City can be found at VisitRapidCity.com.
SOURCE: Visit Rapid City press release.
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