CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY ELECTS NEW OFFICERS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Convention Center Authority elected three new officers at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday. Barrett Hobbs will serve as Chair, Alfred Degrafinreid II will serve as Vice Chair, and Tracy Hardin will serve as Secretary/Treasurer.

Hobbs is a proprietor with Cumberland Hospitality Group, overseeing several restaurant and bar establishments in the downtown area. He was originally appointed to the board in January 2020.

Degrafinreid II is President and Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Tennessee, a non-partisan statewide community leadership organization. He has served on the CCA board since February 2021.

Hardin is Chief Operational Officer with Don Hardin Group, a construction consulting and project management firm. She has served on the CCA board since February 2022.

“These are three leaders in our community, who have provided invaluable guidance on our board in the last several years,” said Music City Center President and Chief Executive Officer Charles Starks. “We look forward to their leadership in these new positions, especially as we look at possible expansion.”

The newly elected officers will fill roles previously held by active board members. Norah Buikstra served as Chair for the last three years. Vonda McDaniel, the board’s longest serving member, previously held the position of Vice Chair. Degrafinreid II was serving as Secretary/Treasurer prior to Thursday’s election. Both Buikstra and McDaniel will continue to serve on the board and any related committees.

The Convention Center Authority was created to oversee the development and operation of Music City Center, as well as any investments or projects connected to the convention center. The Authority consists of nine members, appointed by the mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County to serve a four-year term, and three ex officio members, appointed by the Tennessee General Assembly.

Hobbs, Degrafinreid II, and Hardin will assume their newly elected roles immediately.

About Music City Center

Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, Music City Center (MCC) is a 2.1 million square foot convention center with more than 353,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, two ballrooms, 60 meeting rooms, and a covered parking garage with 1,800 spaces. The mission of MCC is to create significant economic benefit for the greater Nashville area, while focusing on community inclusion, sustainability, and exceptional customer service, through conventions, trade shows, and community events.

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