The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the hiring of Ray Tipton as the new Marketing Manager. Tipton was selected from an impressive number of applicants from across the state. Chamber CEO Laura Terhune served on the Interview Committee and stated, “We felt that Ray’s experience as a small business owner combined with his marketing skills made him the perfect person for the position.”
The Marketing Manager position was created in 2008 as a result of an alliance of four economic and community development entities: Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB, Brownwood Economic Development Corporation, Brownwood Industrial Foundation and Downtown Brownwood, Inc.
Together, these entities call themselves the “Marketing Alliance” and each has one or two representatives serving on a committee to develop marketing strategies to bring retail and commercial development to the Brownwood area. Some of their plans include: a new marketing website, presentation folders, small business loan program, small business resource guide and database of available buildings and land. Current business recruitment efforts are specifically intended to be cohesive with tourism marketing messages.
Tipton is a graduate of Brownwood High School who went on to receive his Bachelors of Science in Psychology. After college, he obtained a real estate license and he has been a licensed realtor in partnership with his wife Lisa for the past 8 years. More recently, Ray has become known locally for his online news website.
Tipton has announced his intention to become “inactive” in real estate in order to dedicate his time to his new position. In addition, his online news website will be managed by a friend with help by Lisa Tipton. He stated, “I am excited to join the staff at the Chamber. I’ve enjoyed watching recent efforts and look forward to making a contribution to the economic well-being of my hometown.”
Terhune concluded, “Ray has already started working part-time, reviewing project files at the Chamber, familiarizing himself with current activities, programs and marketing plans for both business development and tourism. We have enjoyed working with Ray in the past as a volunteer and now anticipate a wonderful new relationship with him on our team.”
