Bojangles announced local public relations veteran Stacey McCray will be its next senior director of communications, effective April 19. McCray brings 20 years of communications experience to the home of famous chicken, biscuits and sweet tea, 17 of those with the brand’s public relations agency of record – Luquire George Andrews.
For the past four years, McCray has worked alongside Bojangles’ marketing team as the Charlotte agency’s vice president of public relations. During this time, McCray helped tell the brand’s story through local and national publicity, build strong community relationships and provide strategic counsel to support corporate efforts. Her seamless transition to the role will keep the momentum going and set the brand up for unparalleled success and growth.
“We knew we were looking for a strategic communicator that could help drive Bojangles’ growth, and Stacey has been a key contributor toward the success of our brand,” says Jackie Woodward, chief marketing officer for Bojangles. “She is uniquely positioned to lead us as we set our sight on the future because she knows who we are and where we’re headed, and we’re thrilled to have her on board.”
Reporting dually to Woodward and Jose Armario, CEO of Bojangles, this position is responsible for driving the organization’s internal and external communications strategy and overseeing execution of that strategy with senior management, staff and agencies.
“Bojangles has become like family to me, and having that familiarity in a professional transition makes all the difference in the world,” adds McCray. “I am excited to hit the ground running in a place that already feels like home as we continue to leverage strategic communications to take this beloved brand to new heights.”
McCray built an impressive portfolio over her 17 years at Luquire George Andrews. In addition to her work for Bojangles, she helped promote the city’s hosting of the 2012 Democratic National Convention and oversaw high-profile campaigns for Belk, Snyder’s-Lance, National Gypsum and UNC Charlotte, among many others.
Previously, McCray was the director of public relations for Johnson C. Smith University and an external communications supervisor for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. She holds a master’s degree in public relations from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Wake Forest University.
