Pure Michigan Announces New Leadership

As the iconic Pure Michigan campaign approaches its 20th anniversary^th anniversary in just over a year, the team behind the brand is announcing a new direction to lead it into the future.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) announced that Kelly Wolgamott has been named vice president of Pure Michigan. Wolgamott had served as interim vice president since January.

Additionally, Carrie Jones Grace will join MEDC as Senior Vice President of Travel, Media and Industry Relations, most recently joining 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 held marketing and public relations positions at General Motors Co. and advertising agency Leo Burnett Worldwide.

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 managing 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 premier four-season destination for travelers across the country and around the world,” said Quentin L. Messer Jr., MEDC’s CEO.

“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 on its Make It In Michigan economic development strategy focused on attracting and developing people, cultivating and revitalizing places, and competing for projects. The tourism and hospitality industry is important to all three of these pillars. Carrie’s new role will allow MEDC to ensure even greater stakeholder engagement and position our state for continued success over the next 20 years.”

As Senior Vice President of Media, Travel and Industry Relations, Jones Grace will oversee the Travel Michigan team, as well as the Michigan Film Office and MEDC Communications teams. Jones Grace has worked for the City of Detroit for more than five years, most recently serving as Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Mike Duggan, where she oversaw the day-to-day 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 served as executive director of the Michigan Venture Capital Association, where she worked with 115 member organizations focused on advancing Michigan’s growing role as a center for innovation and entrepreneurship. She also previously served as Michigan’s film commissioner and director, ensuring Michigan’s creative industry supported the state’s economy by encouraging high-wage, high-tech jobs and talent retention.