Michael Bonoffski, TMP, CDME
Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communications
MichaelBonoffski@ExploreCabarrus.com
704-456-7965
Michael Bonoffski joined the Cabarrus County CVB in 2009 after starting his motorsports career with “The King,” Richard Petty at Petty Enterprises (now Richard Petty Motorsports) where he worked in marketing and licensing. He then joined Mattel Toy Company-Hot Wheels Racing where he held various management positions over the course of six years.
Michael is a 1996 graduate of Ithaca College where he received his Bachelor of Science in Sports Information & Communications and his Master of Science in Sport Management from West Virginia University in 1997.
In 2012, Michael was recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as a member of the inaugural Forty for the Future class honoring travel’s leading talent. In 2013, he completed the Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College program and is certified as a Travel Marketing Professional.
Michael received a Certificate in Hospitality Marketing from Cornell University in November 2013 and also earned designation as a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) through Destinations International (DI) in July 2019.
Julie Hinson, TMP
Communications Manager
JulieHinson@ExploreCabarrus.com
704-456-7967
Julie Hinson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2009 earning the degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Marketing. In 2011, she began her career with the Cabarrus County CVB as a Travel Counselor. During her time in the Visitor Services department, Julie was promoted to Visitor Services Coordinator and later Visitor Services Manager before transitioning to the CVB’s Marketing team as Communication Manager in January 2013.
In 2016, Julie graduated from the Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College program becoming certified as a Travel Marketing Professional (TMP). She is also a graduate of the City of Concord’s “Concord 101” Citizen’s Academy program and a member of the Public Relations Society of America.
Kristen Cranford
Marketing Manager
KristenCranford@ExploreCabarrus.com
704-456-7977
With experience in customer service, project management and marketing, Kristen Cranford joins the Bureau as Marketing Coordinator, a new position added to support the marketing efforts of the CVB team. Kristen most recently served as Production/Account Manager for Concord-based Walker Marketing, Inc. working with many clients in the tourism industry. After serving as the Cabarrus County CVB’s Destination Marketing Coordinator, Kristen was promoted to her current role of Marketing Manager in January 2022.
Kristen is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and minored in Communications/Public Relations.
Kristina Parese
Social Media Manager
KristinaParese@ExploreCabarrus.com
704-456-7964
Kristina Parese joined the Explore Cabarrus team in January 2023 with marketing experience in content creation, graphic design, social media management and more. Prior to becoming the CVB’s Social Media Manager, Parese served as Marketing Manager for Bevana and co-founded Mountains 2 Coast Marketing where she developed and executed marketing strategies, planned client events, and managed on-site event activations. Her experience also includes marketing roles with companies such as agency RingoFire, MyWorkChoice, Salsarita’s, and Edison Nation as well as internships with the High Country Grizzlies, AXA, and Clarke Allen Events.
A native of North Carolina, Parese graduated from Appalachian State University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication.