Mayor wants review of how much CRVA spends on exec pay

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Mayor Anthony Foxx said Tuesday he wants a review of how much the city's tourism authority spends on executive pay.

It comes just one day after the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority announced its new CEO Thomas Murray.

CRVA Board Chairman Joe Hallow didn't mince words about Murray.

"We feel great about Tom Murray coming to Charlotte," Hallow said. "He's been in the industry a long time. He's been involved in major projects and working with the community and working with business leaders in a lot of different major markets."

In the past, Murray served as Chief Operating Officer for InterContinental Hotels Group, the world's largest hotel chain.

Hallow said Murray is a 30-year veteran of the hospitality business and the right man to guide CRVA.

Over the past six months, CEO Tim Newman agreed to step down and CRVA announced changes to its spending and bonus policies.

It was in response to city leaders' criticism over bonuses and thousands spent on lavish dinners and tickets for clients.

CRVA officials said the new policies were a commitment to being as open and transparent as possible.

But Foxx said despite the new leadership, he still has questions.

"They've obviously got some challenges still in terms of dealing with their salary structure," he said.

Hallow said Newman made a base salary of about $240,000. He received a bonus of about $60,000 in 2010 but not one this year.

Hallow said Murray will receive a base salary of about $275,000 and his bonus will be determined by the board in the spring.

Foxx said with Newman staying on as a senior executive, he's concerned the authority is spending a lot of money and wants the board to review it.

"If all that's happening is you're adding a salary to the organization, that's probably not in the best interests of the public," Foxx said. "So I assume they'll have some process for taking a look at the organization as a whole."

Eyewitness News asked Hallow if that will happen: "Do you expect Tom Murray to be taking a look at some of the executive-level salaries?"

"I think Tom would do like any good executive would do," Hallow said. "He comes in and reviews the entire organization."

Murray is scheduled to begin as CRVA's CEO on Dec. 15.

Previous Stories: September 2, 2011: Message Critical Of Mayor Shows Up On Former CRVA Leader's Facebook August 11, 2011: CRVA Sets New Spending Policies, Bonus Guidelines July 26, 2011: Charlotte City Council Agrees To Fund CRVA June 27, 2011: CRVA Releases Audit Of Operations May 11, 2011: CRVA Head Defends Spending May 9, 2011: CRVA Expenses Included Lavish Dinner, Sporting Tickets April 18, 2011: CRVA Plans Independent Audit After Controversial Bonuses April 15, 2011: Memo Released, CRVA Bonus To Executive Still Questioned

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