GLASSBORO, NJ – The Destination ImagiNation Inc. Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Rusty McCarty has been named President of the organization.  

Mr. McCarty is currently the Vice President of Creative Programming, and his strong leadership and excellent performance over the past year in the absence of a CEO have been inspirational.  The management team and Board of Trustees unanimously support Mr. McCarty, and are looking forward to him working with the CEO to help define the direction and shape the future of Destination ImagiNation in the years to come.

“There is no overstating the impact Rusty has had during his career at Destination ImagiNation.  Rusty has delivered terrific results while reshaping and expanding our portfolio of products and services.” Board Chairman Andy Loftis said. “He has worked hard to ensure a very healthy future for the company and our participants and partners, and we are looking forward to working with Rusty to drive the organization forward.”

Mr. McCarty has been involved in the Destination ImagiNation® program since its founding in 1999. He was the International Affiliate Director in Brazil and served on the Destination ImagiNation Inc. Board of Trustees for two years. After joining the corporation he quickly defined himself as one of the organization’s most dedicated and effective managers. For the last year he has served the corporation as a key member of the management team.

Mr. McCarty was the creative and operational force behind the very successful 2008 AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers) Construction Challenge event. As President, Mr. McCarty will be charged with growing Destination ImagiNation’s corporate programs as well as developing new business and educational opportunities that support the corporation’s mission. He will retain responsibility for the annual Destination ImagiNation Global Finals tournament held each May where creative problem solving teams from around the world compete.

Headquartered in Glassboro, NJ, Destination ImagiNation Inc. is the world’s largest creative problem solving organization for youth and adults, with participants in 41 foreign countries and all 50 U.S states. DI’s educational goals are to foster creative and critical thinking, to develop teamwork, collaboration and leadership skills and to nurture research and inquiry skills involving both creative exploration and attention to detail.