KANSAS CITY, MO. — Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the barbecue community globally, announced the departure of Emily Detwiler after nearly three years of serving as the chief executive officer. Detwiler will leave KCBS at the end of July to pursue another opportunity.

Detwiler brought over 15 years of marketing experience in strategy development, branding, integrated marketing planning, partnership development, agency leadership and budget development. She joined KCBS in August 2019 after previously serving as director of fresh pork marketing for Smithfield Foods.

KCBS said Detwiler has been instrumental in leading the organization through tough times and giving it direction for the future.

“It has been a challenging time, an exciting time, and we have survived through some interesting global pandemic issues as well as created new opportunities, new programs, expanded the team of the year program,” Detwiler said in a July 5 video KCBS released on social media.

Detwiler added, “I will remain a KCBS lifetime member, so you'll likely still see me at various events around Kansas City or elsewhere.”