Worcester Business Journal

20 Worcester Business Journal | August 19, 2019 | wbjournal.com 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y 2 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y By day, Macapinlac runs marketing for Bay State, where he's remade the bank's social media sites; created ideas for its print, radio, television and billboard ads; and is working on redesigning the bank's website for a September launch. In 2018, he was Bay State's employee of the year. His alter ego, though, is Rex Mac, the young rapper who operated as an artist under the three-time Boston Music Award winner booking agency Lysten Boston and this year is nominated for #617Sesssions Artist of the Year. Macapinlac's two roles often will combine themselves, as they did when he remade Sugar Hill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" to be a song about the bank and sang it to raise money for local pancreatic cancer research. He tours and has performed at events like the 2018 Boston Arts and Music Festival, as well as written for other artists. Even when he's not rapping to raise money, he volunteers at social services organizations like Mustard Seed in Worcester and coordinates the bank's collection of holiday gifts for the services center LUK, Inc. You'll never see Macapinlac sweat; he's unflappable, always willing to help anyone out, unfailingly professional and pleasant to work with. – G.W. What TV character is most like you? Arnold from Nickelodeon's "Hey Arnold!" He's stylish, unapologetically altruistic, and a reliable friend. What are the hidden gems of Central Mass.? Buck's Whiskey & Burger Bar makes an amazing burger and hot sauce, and The Muse Bar & Kitchen has a delicious negroni. What would you tell a new marketing intern? Be wary of shortening attention span among online audiences, but never underestimate intelligence. Central Massachusetts has long relied on visitors from the im- mediate area to fuel the tourism industry, but with Ramey leading DCM, that appears to be changing. In the past year, website visits for the area's tourism office have risen 50% or more from Bos- ton and New York City and by 84% from Connecticut. Ramey and DCM, which covers 34 cities and towns, are developing a new phone app to make attractions and restaurants easier to find. That initiative joins an effort to get more business- es and organizations to hold meetings in the region. Ramey, who became the office's executive director in spring 2018 after a variety of sales and marketing jobs, grew up in Worcester, went to Worcester State University and lives in Worcester today. She has seen first-hand how the region has changed and decided to raise her three young children in the city. During Ramey's still-brief tenure as executive director, DCM has risen to among the best-regarded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, which has led to much-needed funding increasing for the small office. That's allowed for the pursuit of additional marketing campaigns. Since she started at DCM as a sales manager, the organization has been connected to more than $50 million in estimated eco- nomic impact linked to hotel stays, events booked and services rendered. – G.W. If could live anywhere in the world for one month, where would it be? Ireland. I have an intense desire to learn more about my family history. Favorite Central Mass. tourist attraction? Vincent's Bar. I love the live music, the grittiness and a nice cold beer. What is the highest compliment someone could give you? That I've raised kind, loving and hard-working children. Stephanie Ramey, 34 Executive director Discover Central Massachusetts, Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Worcester College: Worcester State University Rex Macapinlac, 28 Marketing officer Bay State Savings Bank, Worcester Residence: Bellingham Birthplace: Daly City, Calif. College: Stonehill College ArtsWorcester's new gallery on Portland Street

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