Former VP of Marketing & Public Relations for Columbia Fireflies assumes new lead role

The Congaree Vista Guild, a non-profit, membership-based organization comprised of a variety of restaurants, hotels, businesses, galleries and homeowners in Columbia’s Vista, has hired Abby Naas as its new executive director.

Naas come to the Vista from the Columbia Fireflies baseball team, where she was vice president of marketing & public relations. She assisted in the creation of the Columbia Fireflies brand and was instrumental in introducing the brand to the community. She also handled all media buying, social media and other aspects of marketing for the team and managed a full marketing staff. For her efforts, Naas was recognized as the 2017 South Atlantic League Female Executive of the Year.

“I am very excited to join the Vista family. I can't wait to get to know the membership and business owners from the district. I have grown so fond of Columbia and can't wait to be part of the growth of the area and assist members in every way possible,” said Naas.

Before working with the Fireflies, Naas served as assistant director of marketing and community relations for the Fort Wayne TinCaps baseball team in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She previously worked as promotions manager for the TinCaps. Naas holds a B.S. in business management with a concentration in sport management from Florida Gulf Coast University. She is currently serving as president of Columbia Capital Rotary and is a Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) board member as well as a member of the Junior League of Columbia. 

“We are proud to have Abby lead the Vista Guild as our executive director in this time of unprecedented growth for the neighborhood and Columbia,” said Merritt McNeely, president of the Congaree Vista Guild’s board of directors. “We’re looking forward to having her significant experience and leadership as the Vista Guild focuses on smart growth that will benefit our district and the city.”

The Vista has long been known as Columbia's creative center and is now the Midlands’ place to go for nightlife, dining and entertainment. The Congaree Vista Guild board of directors strives to encourage healthy growth in the Vista, while seeing that the Vista is a vibrant symbol of progressive growth in Columbia.

Visit www.VistaColumbia.com for event maps and information about the Vista. For more information, please call (803) 269.5946. Follow the Vista Guild on Twitter, Instagram and on Facebook.