As the iconic Pure Michigan campaign nears its 20th anniversary in just over a year, the team behind the brand is announcing new leadership to steer it into the future.
The Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) announced that Kelly Wolgamott has been named vice president of Pure Michigan. Wolgamott has served as interim vice president since January.
Additionally, Carrie Jones Grace will join the MEDC as the senior vice president of travel, media, and industry relations, coming to the MEDC most recently from the city of Detroit.
Wolgamott joined MEDC and Travel Michigan in 2011 and served as director of travel marketing for more than 12 years. Prior to joining MEDC, Wolgamott served in marketing and public relations roles with General Motors Co. and the Leo Burnett Worldwide advertising agency.
As vice president of Pure Michigan, she will lead the state’s tourism marketing, branding, and public relations efforts, including overseeing the Pure Michigan campaign and management of the Travel Michigan team at MEDC.
“Kelly’s talents, personal commitment, wealth of industry knowledge and marketing expertise position her to advance Michigan’s efforts to promote our state as the top four-season destination for travelers across the country and around the world,” says Quentin L. Messer Jr., CEO of MEDC.
“Carrie’s addition to the MEDC team is part of an intentional effort to ensure that the Travel Michigan team and the Travel Commission are integrated into all aspects of the broader MEDC, as MEDC executes the ‘Make It In Michigan’ economic development strategy focused on attracting and developing People, cultivating and revitalizing Places and competing for and winning Projects. The tourism and hospitality industry is important across all three pillars. Carrie’s new role will enable MEDC to deliver even greater stakeholder engagement and position our state for continuing success over the next 20 years.”
As senior vice president of travel, media, and industry relations, Jones Grace will oversee the Travel Michigan team, along with the Michigan Film Office and MEDC Communications team. For more than five years, Jones Grace has worked for the city of Detroit, most recently serving as deputy chief of staff for Mayor Mike Duggan, where she oversaw daily operations of the Mayor’s Office, including citywide initiatives such as Project Clean Slate and the Detroit Promise Scholarship Program.
Prior to joining the city, Jones Grace was the executive director of the Michigan Venture Capital Association, where she worked with 115 member organizations focused on marketing Michigan’s growing role as a center of innovation and entrepreneurship. She also previously served as the Michigan Film Commissioner and Director, ensuring Michigan’s creative industry supported the state economy by encouraging high wages, high-tech jobs and talent retention.
