CLEVELAND, Ohio – May 7, 2026 – KJK joins the broader Cleveland community in honoring Managing Partner Jon Pinney as he concludes his tenure as Chair of the Destination Cleveland Board of Directors. Pinney, who has served on the Destination Cleveland board for nearly a decade — including as Vice Chair and Treasurer before ascending to Chair — will continue to serve as a board member as Pat Pastore, Regional President of PNC Bank, assumes the chairmanship.
Destination Cleveland, the region’s official convention and visitors bureau, drives tourism, meetings, and events that generate billions of dollars in economic impact for Greater Cleveland. Under Pinney’s board leadership, the organization reached historic milestones — hosting marquee national events including the 2022 NBA All-Star Game and the 2024 NCAA Women’s Final Four — while building the Cleveland brand into one of the most recognized destination-marketing success stories in the country.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, who served alongside Pinney on the Destination Cleveland executive committee before taking office, spoke to the breadth of his impact on the city.
“Jon’s one of those leaders who doesn’t like to be in the limelight, but when you look at the history of Cleveland, and the great revival that we’ve made over the last two decades, Jon’s impact and his handprint has been on every key win that we’ve made.”
— The Honorable Justin Bibb, Mayor, City of Cleveland
Brenda Kirk, CEO of Little Pink Bird and a Destination Cleveland board member, Executive Committee member, and Board Treasurer, captured the vision that defined Pinney’s chairmanship.
“The idea that we could do anything, that we could attract these events, that we could hold and really outshine any other city — it was never a question in Jon’s mind. I think it’s his passion and excitement for what Cleveland can be that helped us to actually deliver on that after Covid. He sees things that are possible in the city that others can’t even imagine.”
— Brenda Kirk, CEO, Little Pink Bird; Board Member, Treasurer & Executive Committee Member, Destination Cleveland
Pinney has long been a defining figure in Cleveland’s civic landscape. As KJK’s Managing Partner, he has spent more than a decade channeling the firm’s resources and his own energy toward the region’s growth — most notably as the principal author of the winning 345-page bid that secured the 2016 Republican National Convention for Cleveland, an effort a decade in the making. That win helped catalyze a new era of civic confidence in Greater Cleveland and set the stage for the string of landmark national events that followed.
KJK is proud to have been represented at the highest levels of Destination Cleveland’s leadership and remains firmly committed to the civic partnerships that make Greater Cleveland a destination of national significance.
Pinney reflected on his time leading the board.
“Serving as Chair of the Destination Cleveland board has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. This organization, this team, and this city deserve every ounce of energy that anyone can offer. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished together, and I leave the chair role knowing the organization is in extraordinary hands with Pat at the helm and David leading the charge. I am excited to remain on the board and be part of Cleveland’s continued upward trajectory.”
— Jon Pinney, Managing Partner, KJK
Watch Destination Cleveland’s full tribute video here.
About Destination Cleveland
Destination Cleveland is the official convention and visitors bureau for the Greater Cleveland region. As a nonprofit organization, Destination Cleveland leads travel and tourism initiatives that grow the region’s economy by attracting visitors, meetings, conventions, and sporting events to The Land. For more information, visit thisiscleveland.com.
About KJK
With offices in Cleveland and Columbus, KJK serves companies of all sizes and sectors, including Fortune 500 corporations, nonprofits, mid-market companies, small businesses, start-ups and other entrepreneurs. We are a full-service law firm built for business – and beyond. Our robust practice areas serve clients locally and nationally, with the combined experience of our skilled team of 50+ attorneys. For more information, visit kjk.com.