The McKinney Economic Development Corp. has appointed a new senior vice president to its leadership team, according to an Aug 26 news release.
The full story
MEDC officials have appointed Visit McKinney Executive Director Aaron Werner to the role, according to the release. Werner is expected to begin his new role Sept. 21 after four years of leading Visit McKinney, the city's convention and visitors bureau.
Werner’s experience in destination development, placemaking, partnership building and organizational leadership will bring “valuable continuity” to MEDC, the release states. In a statement, MEDC President and CEO Michael Kowski said Werner is “exactly the leader” the organization’s next chapter calls for.
“He knows this community, builds strong teams, and has worked alongside us for years,” Kowski said. “Adding a proven leader from within the McKinney family brings exceptional talent and continuity while preserving the collaborative, high-performing culture that makes this organization successful.”
Career history
Werner was named as Visit McKinney’s executive director in 2022, according to Visit McKinney’s website. During his time with the organization, Werner built a “sports tourism engine” that led to the city hosting several regional, national and international sporting events, according to the news release.
He also led the process to receive a Tourism Friendly Texas Certified Community designation from the state and helped reimagine the McKinney Experience Center, according to the news release.
In a statement, Werner said McKinney has “one of the best stories” in the state and he has had the “privilege” of helping to share it.
“Economic development and tourism are deeply connected,” Werner said. “I am honored to join the MEDC team, and I am excited to keep driving that story forward alongside the people and partners who make McKinney what it is.”
