Paris, Tenn.–With the pending retirement of Downtown Paris Association Executive Director Kathy Ray this summer, the Paris-Henry County Chamber has formalized its working relationship with the DPA. Under the agreement, the DPA will relocate its offices to the Chamber headquarters and Chamber Director Travis McLeese will assume responsibilities of DPA Executive Director.
Chamber Administrative Assistant Sandy Ellis and Community Relations Director Kasey Muench will share daily DPA responsibilities. The Chamber also will hire an Events Coordinator to accommodate the increase in responsibility. A job description for that position will be released soon.
Ray earlier announced her intention to retire effective July 1, 2020. For the past 13 years Kathy has been involved with the leadership of the DPA and has served as Executive Director since 2013.
“Kathy is an asset to this entire community and has taken our organization to a whole new level. As a board, we knew we had to take a long look at the direction of our organization and get creative on how to move forward,” Chamber President John Etheridge said.
McLeese noted that as DPA Executive Director, Ray has created new events, assisting in the development of the Downtown Paris Mobile Phone App; creating Downtown Paris brochures and having them approved for Welcome and Rest Centers across Tennessee; moving Paris from a Tennessee Downtown Community to a Tennessee Main Street Community; leading the painted catfish project and the ensuing “Where’s the Fish?? Project” featuring catfish statues throughout Paris; served as Back Alley Paris administrator; improved and expanded the Downtown Unwrapped brand, to name a few. “She has assisted with business plans, marketing and promotional ideas, and creative designs for downtown in an effort to keep our downtown a vibrant business community,” he said.
Ray said, “Downtown Paris and this community will always be my passion. I am blessed with the many relationships, friendships, and confidence the community has shown me as the DPA Executive Director. I hope I have met the DPA Board’s expectations. It has absolutely been my pleasure to serve the DPA and our great community.”
Details on a June retirement celebration for Kathy Ray will be announced at a later time.