Longtime venue administrator Allison McNamara has been named interim general manager of Fort Worth’s Will Rogers Memorial Center.
McNamara will assume the position following the April 30 retirement of Kevin O Kemp, who has served as the center’s general manager for the past 13 years. As interim general manager, McNamara will oversee all operations, personnel and sales functions for the 120-acre Will Rogers complex in the city’s cultural district.
McNamara, who boasts two decades of experience in venue operations management and the equestrian industry, has been operations manager for the Fort Worth Convention Center since 2021 and has 18 years’ experience in the city’s public events department. She began her tenure as an event coordinator at Will Rogers Memorial Center for seven years and advanced through department ranks with another seven years as account tech at the convention center where she was appointed as operations manager after serving as acting operations manager through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her previous equestrian venue experience includes six-years at the Mississippi Horse Park as a student and graduate from Mississippi State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science with an emphasis in equines and a minor in agribusiness. She holds numerous industry certifications, including Certified Venue Professional from the International Association of Venue Managers and certification in exhibition management from the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. She will receive her Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in May.
“Will Rogers Memorial Center holds a special place in my heart,” said McNamara. “I grew up attending events as a spectator and often reflect on the years I spent as an employee there. 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. Also, many important capital projects are in the works and I look forward to seeing them come to fruition.”
Joining McNarama in a top management role at WRMC is Claude Humphrey, longtime field operations supervisor at the center, who has been named interim operations manager. With 37 years’ experience in public events with Tarrant County and the city, Humphrey will lead day-to-day operations, event attendants, barn crews, maintenance and engineering. He will also be the main point of contact for multiple contractors.
Humphrey was named Manager of the Year at WRMC in 2018 and received Visit Fort Worth’s Beyond Award recognizing excellence in hospitality service in 2022. He completed the city’s yearlong management training program and is certified by the Global Biorisk Advisory Council. A Fort Worth native, Humphrey is a graduate of Paschal High School.
“With Allison’s experience in city operations, finance and team management, plus her education and enthusiasm for the equestrian industry, she will provide a smooth leadership transition for our key stakeholders,” said Mike Crum, director of the public events department. “Claude’s back-of-house crew leadership and longstanding relationships with clients and vendors will offer stability during the transition.”
Will Rogers Memorial Center is a historic entertainment, sports and livestock complex anchoring Fort Worth’s cultural district. The 120-acre facility is named in memory of humorist, writer and cowboy entertainer Will Rogers, who died in an airplane crash in 1935 and was a close friend of Fort Worth business leader-philanthropist Amon G. Carter.
