John Friebele
John Friebele is the founding Executive Director of Destination Bryan, the official destination marketing organization for Bryan, Texas. He is a passionate advocate for the power of tourism to drive economic growth, foster community engagement, and create a positive social impact. As Executive Director, Friebele leads Destination Bryan's efforts to promote the city as a vibrant destination for both visitors and residents.
Friebele oversees all aspects of Destination Bryan's operations, including marketing, sales, promotions, and community engagement. He also serves as the key liaison with government officials, community stakeholders, and tourism industry partners, fostering collaborations that bolster Bryan's reputation as a vibrant destination.
Prior to leading Destination Bryan, Friebele served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Experience Bryan College Station, where he spearheaded sales development and marketing initiatives. His extensive experience in the tourism industry also includes various roles within the sports sales market.
Friebele holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management (2010) and a Master of Science in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Sciences (2019) from Texas A&M University. He is a Certified Sports Event Executive and a Texas Destination Marketer.
Actively involved in the tourism industry, Friebele is the current Chair of the Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (2024-2026) and serves as an inaugural member of the Destinations International Advisory Leadership Board. He also serves on the Texas A&M University Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism Industry Advisory Board. Under his leadership, Destination Bryan was recognized as the DMO of the Year for 2022 by the Texas Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus. He is also a recipient of the Texas Travel Alliance’s 4 Under 40 award (2020) and is currently pursuing his Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) certification with Destinations International.