TOM TROBAUGH

With his leadership experience, knowledge of sales and marketing, his passion for the community and willingness to be colorful to get the job done, Tom Trobaugh is now leading PCFI as its new board president.

“I gratefully accepted the position of president of PCFI in hopes that my 40 years of experience in global sales, marketing and operations will be of assistance in growing PCFI and turning TRIFF into a world class festival. I love movies and I love Tryon. Joining PCFI allows me to be surrounded by like-minded individuals and to be able to enjoy first line movies including world premieres,” Trobaugh says.

ASHLEY MENETRE

Ashley is The Queen of Competence, the woman in charge of Everything Festival Fun.

From conceiving, designing, organizing, decorating, and executing front and back of house with grace, there is no event Ashley doesn’t have her hands in and take a higher level. Fundraisers, the Festival itself, after-parties (before parties!) and hospitalities. This amazing event would not be possible without her!

BECKY COLLINS

Becky enlisted in the US Army, graduated from Army Airborne Parachute school and was a participant of Operation Desert Storm. After leaving the Army, Becky launched an Interior Design and Decorative painting company and was highly regarded as the premier faux finisher in the MidWest before discovering her current passion Encaustic art. After moving to the Foothills with her family 7 years ago, Becky volunteers with Hospice, the Friendship Circle, Tryon Fine Arts Center, Polk County Schools, Tryon International Film Festival, Steps to Hope and Warming the View.

CARRI BASS

Carri has been photographing with passion and style for several years in the Pacific NW, South West, Upstate of SC and Western NC. She has traveled and photographed internationally for much of the past five years and has brought her experience to Tryon  with a full service studio and art gallery… 158 N Trade St. A highlight of her career has been her involvement with the Tryon International Film Festival, being a part of a great team and having the opportunity to photo journal this unique venture. She serves as the the PCFI Board Secretary. 

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DEBBIE PARDAL

My husband and I moved to Tryon in 2022 and soon after, I joined the staff at the Tryon Theatre. I have always loved movies and was immediately intrigued by all the buzz about the film festival here. Becoming a volunteer felt like the perfect way to get involved, meet people and discover more about this unique event.

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I quickly became acquainted with many wonderful people in the area and was asked to take on a bigger role with TRIFF. I have a background in volunteer service and organization which includes coordinating the Reading Is Fundamental program in Southern Pines, NC, serving on the Friends of the Southern Pines Public Library for 10 years, leading a Girl Scout troop for 6 years, various church committees, VBS programs, PTA board positions and fundraisers. I’m excited to be a part of the TRIFF planning team as the Director of Volunteers and look forward to meeting new folks who want to be a part of this very unique and special festival we have here in Tryon.

CHER BROWN

Along with her husband Terry, Cher Brown co-founded Keva Creative, an award-winning documentary film and video production company. As filmmakers their historical, educational, and environmental films, including Tryon International Film Festival Short Documentary Winner Tidal Alert, draws attention to and provides solutions to problems facing our world. Cher has been an aerial cinematographer since 2017, when she obtained her FAA Drone Pilot Certification and has flown more than 1,000 missions with over 250 flight hours. Cher developed and taught drone curriculum at Carteret Community College, was a personal drone flight instructor for UAV Coach, and is a Brand Ambassador for Women Who Drone. As a professional photographer, Cher was a photojournalist for the Florida Times Union and covered special events and concerts for TotallyStAugustine.com. As a self-professed ‘nature girl’, her fine art and nature photography is curated in galleries, healthcare facilities and in private collections around the country.

JENNIFER BRITANISKY

Jennifer is originally from Augusta, Georgia and has been married 34 & 1/2 years to Robert Britanisky. They have lived in Spartanburg for 26 years where they have raised their 28-year-old twins, Laura, and Hunter. As a Spartanburg Community Liaison, she has helped promote many fundraising events that

have included sports, health and other charity events. She is an active member and leader within Spartanburg County and at the state level of the South Carolina Medical Society Alliance. When she is not promoting an event or speaking on behalf of the medical profession, you will find her out

on the road cycling about 100 miles/week. She has conquered Mt. Mitchell, ridden 255 miles across the state of South Carolina to help raise over $1.5 million dollars participating in the Ride to End Alzheimer’s. She continues to promote women’s health through cycling as a member of the Bearden-

Josey Center for Breast Health Women’s Cycling Team.

MARTY KIRCHHOF

Marty has lived in Tryon now for six years. After teaching In Sydney, Australia for 14 years, she finished up her education career in Connecticut before retiring and moving south.  As an avid film goer, she has volunteered multiple times at the Tribeca Film Festival, attended the Dallas International Film Festival, and was recently asked to be on the board of Tryon International Film Festival.