Gary Rhodes

Gary Rhodes has over 20 years of experience in corporate communications and public relations. Gary has held various leadership positions in companies such as Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Fifth Third Bank, Ashland, Pilgrim's Pride Corp., and The Kroger Co. In their most recent role as Corporate Director of Communications at Cedar Fair, they oversee communications for a large regional amusement-resort operator. Previously, at Fifth Third Bank, they served as the Chief Communications and Reputation Officer, leading a high-performing team to develop and execute proactive communications strategies. Before that, at Ashland, they were the Director of Corporate Communications, managing a global team to enhance the company's reputation. Additionally, at Pilgrim's Pride Corp., they served as the Vice President of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, developing communication strategies to support business goals. At The Kroger Co., they were the Director of Corporate Communications, responsible for external communications and media relations.

Gary Rhodes holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism from Ohio University. In addition, they have obtained several certifications in various fields, including "Confronting Bias: Thriving Across Our Differences," "Inclusive Leadership," "Lean Six Sigma Foundations," and "SEO for Social Media." These certifications were obtained in 2020 from LinkedIn.