Jeff Byrd

Cindy Riddle

Sharon Decker

Beth Rounds

Tryon Fine Arts Center welcomes Jeff Byrd as its new president of the board of directors for this term. A natural born journalist, Jeff earned a BA in journalism at the University of Colorado and master’s degree in liberal arts from University of North Carolina at Asheville. He and his wife, Helen, avid travelers, visited and came to love the Tryon area. In 1989, they decided to make Tryon their home.

Jeff purchased the Tryon Daily Bulletin, which he managed for 21 years, and then joined WWE Realty. Jeff’s extensive involvement in local civic clubs and organizations earned him a spot in The Carolina Foothills Chamber Hall of Fame.  His success is attributed to his desire to truly listen to people, their stories and their goals for a thriving, successful community.

When asked about his decision to serve as TFAC’s board president, Jeff stated, “The Tryon Fine Arts Center, the venue for so many activities and organizations, has been the focal point for much of my cultural life since I moved to Tryon in 1989. The Super Saturday Festival first attracted my family to consider moving here. All four of us have appeared in Tryon Little Theater shows on TFAC’s main stage for years, as well as enjoying so many memorable occasions and performances as audience members. Thanks to the hard work of my predecessors, the staff and so many board members and volunteers, TFAC has just gotten better and better. It is an honor to work with all of them to keep TFAC going strong.”

Tryon Fine Arts Center also welcomes four new board members: Tara Brannon, Sharon Decker, Cindy Riddle and Beth Rounds.

Tara Brannon holds a BA in art history from Wellesley College, and a MEd and a BFA in interior design. She has worked for a variety of arts and non-profit organizations and as an interior designer for firms large and small. Tara leads monthly discussions at TFAC on The World’s Greatest Paintings and operates her own design firm. TFAC has already benefited from Tara’s extensive knowledge of design and art as well as project and event management.

Sharon Decker has been a resident of the area for 15 years, and has held many corporate, government and non-profit jobs, including having served as North Carolina Secretary of Commerce.

Decker, a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, is currently senior vice president of Strategic Initiatives at Tryon International Equestrian Center. She brings her extensive corporate experience and dedication to rural economic growth to further enhance TFAC’s service to the community.

Cindy Riddle, serves as the coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts and Gifted and Talented Services for District One Schools, Spartanburg County. Cindy received a BA from Lander University and a master’s in education from Converse. She is active in the community, and currently serves as the president of the board of Ballet Spartanburg.

During her career in education, she has won many awards and was very influential in the Kennedy Center’s decision to name Tryon Fine Arts Center as a Partner in Arts Education.  She is dedicated to integrating arts into education to improve student growth.  She serves as the vice president of the Arts in Education Committee at TFAC.

Beth Rounds received her BA in sociology from Trinity University and has a successful marketing consulting business. Beth, a native of Minnesota, found Tryon through friends and moved here with her husband two years ago.

She has become very involved in the community and is a local market research specialist, and volunteers for Service Corps of Retired Executives, Western North Carolina (SCORE). Beth brings her passion for arts and education, and extensive skills in marketing consultation to the TFAC team.

Tryon Fine Arts Center is grateful to these talented professionals and their dedication to Tryon Fine Arts Center’s mission to serve as the creative driving force for live performances, arts education, exhibits and community partnerships in the foothills community.

-Submitted by Susan Brady/Becky Osteen