A native of Stillwater, the city in Oklahoma where the Hall of Fame is based, Carnefix will work to create a comprehensive marketing and public relations strategy as well as continue to develop and enhance the educational exhibits and materials presented throughout the wrestling community.

As a graduate of both Stillwater High School and Oklahoma State University, Carnefix has a Bachelor’s degree in journalism and extensive experience in media relations.

Most recently, he has been operating Communications for Your Business, a firm dedicated to providing marketing and public relations assistance to small businesses in Perkins, Oklahoma.

He has also worked as the interim director of the Parks and Recreation Department in Perkins.

"I am delighted about this opportunity, and feel privileged to join such a respected organisation, particularly during such an exciting period," said Carnefix having been confirmed as the replacement of Tiffany Clark, who has left the Hall of Fame to pursue other opportunities.

"I look forward to becoming part of a group that works so hard to preserve the heritage of wrestling and recognise achievements while also encouraging young people to learn and engage with the sport."

The Hall of Fame is currently closed to visitors as it prepares to undergo an interior renovation.

It is scheduled to re-open in spring of 2016, coinciding with its 40th anniversary celebration at the annual "Honors Weekend" induction ceremonies.

Hall of Fame staff are currently in the process of raising the last of the funds required to complete the renovation.

"We are excited to add Jack to our staff," said Lee Roy Smith, executive director of the Hall of Fame.

"Jack brings an accomplished work history in sport communications and media and a blend of operating skills needed to advance the mission of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame at a strategic time in the organisation’s evolution."

Before returning to Oklahoma, Carnefix spent 13 years as senior manager of public relations for Professional Bull Riders in Pueblo, Colorado as well as 10 years as the senior vice-president of communications for the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) in Princeton, New Jersey.

"Jack clearly has experience providing major league service to minor league teams in baseball, hockey, tennis and indoor football," added Smith.

"We can’t wait to see what he can do with wrestling."

During last month's Wrestling World Championships in Las Vegas, United World Wrestling (UWW) President Nenad Lalović was recognised by the Hall of Fame for the leading role he played in keeping wrestling on the Olympic programme.

Lalović took over as President of the then International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA) on February 15, 2013, three days after the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) ruling Executive Board had recommended that wrestling should be dropped after Rio 2016.

His leadership led to wrestling's reinstatement during the IOC Session in Buenos Aires just seven months later and in September 2014 Lalović was re-elected to a six-year term on the same day that FILA officially became UWW.

The Serbian received this year's Alan Rice Leadership Award, first presented in 2011 to the man it is named after; an instrumental figure in the success of Greco-Roman wrestling in the US. 



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