Tryon Fine Arts Center is pleased to announce that Rebecca (Becky) Barnes will serve as president of the board of directors for 2011. Barnes has served on the TFAC board as vice president of development for the past three years.

“This year holds much promise because we have a board and staff committed to working as a team and with other organizations,” said Barnes. “Past president Loren Smith helped pave the way for many exciting things to come.”

Executive director Beth Child adds, “Becky brings over 25 years of non-profit management experience and her marketing and fundraising background will continue to serve TFAC well. We are very fortunate to have her lead this 42-year-old organization.”

Barnes, a native of Spartanburg, S.C., is the president of Capital Ideas, Inc., an issues management firm specializing in marketing communications and governmental relations for a diverse range of clients. She is also vice president of marketing for Pacolet Milliken Enterprises.

Barnes holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from the University of South Carolina and was accredited by the Public Relations Society of America in 1987. In 2001, the Spartanburg Business and Professional Women’s Club presented her with the Woman of Achievement Award.

In 2010, Barnes’ marketing campaigns for Carolina Alliance Bank and the Spartanburg Day School received Best of Show and the Gold Addy respectively in the Carolinas Advertising Awards competition. She is a graduate of Leadership Columbia and Leadership Spartanburg.

Her past board positions include president of the board for Spartanburg and Columbia Advertising Federations, Spartanburg Humane Society, Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Regents and the Piedmont Chapter of the American Red Cross.

She has also served as board member for FENCE, Pacolet Area Conservancy, YMCA of Spartanburg and Keep America Beautiful of South Carolina. She is currently vice president and a riding member of the Tryon Hounds.

Barnes resides in Jackson Grove in Landrum.