Fort Worth has a new honcho at the helm of the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Following the retirement of longtime general manager Kevin O Kemp, Allison McNamara is stepping in as the interim general manager of the 120-acre complex, a major player in the equestrian scene. Kemp, who has been with the City of Fort Worth for 23 years, 13 of which as general manager, leaves a legacy of leadership behind him as he hands over the reins to McNamara.
McNamara, no stranger to the equestrian industry and venue ops, has a robust track record, including an 18-year stint with the City’s Public Events Department. Her resume speaks volumes; previous roles include seven years as an event coordinator at the Memorial Center and an operations manager gig at the Fort Worth Convention Center. She was at the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic as acting operations manager and subsequently rose to the permanent position, as the City of Fort Worth reports.
A parade of qualifications follows McNamara, with industry certifications like Certified Venue Professional and Certified Exhibition Management. Her educational background isn’t light either; she's bagging a master of public administration degree from the University of Texas at Arlington this May. This move is a homecoming for McNamara, who reflects on her formative years spent at the Will Rogers Memorial Center with fondness. "I grew up attending events as a spectator and often reflect on the years I spent as an employee there," McNamara said, as per the City of Fort Worth. "I am grateful for the opportunity to return, and I look forward to working with the incredible team at the facility and continuing strong partnerships with our clients."
Moving up ranks along with McNamara is Claude Humphrey, who fills the interim operations manager shoes. A veteran with 37 years of Public Events experience, Humphrey will look after the nuts and bolts of the event attendants, barn crews, maintenance, and engineering teams. Adding to his credibility, Humphrey's accolades include a Manager of the Year nod at the WRMC in 2018 and the Visit Fort Worth’s Beyond Award in 2022. He's also a champ at hometown pride, being a Fort Worth native and a proud alum of Paschal High School. His appointment should add a layer of consistency and experience to the transitioning staff at the massive multipurpose equestrian center.
The top brass at the Memorial Center reassures continuity and support with this leadership shuffle. Both interim managers will have the backing of the executive team a bunch of seasoned mid-managers and solid back-of-house crews. The Center, a historic Fort Worth staple since 1936, has seen its share of expansions and upgrades over the years, and with new projects in the pipeline, the management shakeup comes at a critical juncture.
