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‘Gentle giant’ Kumpf praised for integrity, work ethic

Former Convention Center president and CEO died Friday

By Walt Frank 5 min read

Dubbed a "gentle giant" by some, Barry Kumpf is being remembered as a man of high integrity and a man with a great work ethic.

Kumpf, 69, Altoona, passed away Sept. 18 at UPMC Altoona.

Kumpf retired as president and CEO of the Blair County Convention Center and was previously general manager of Lakemont Park, where he was the creator of "Lights on the Lake" in 1997. He was also previously director of operations at Mid-State Tool and Supply.

Robert Halbritter, co-owner of Mid-State Tool and Supply and former chairman of the Blair County Convention Center Authority, knew Kumpf "from the time he graduated from high school when he came to work for us."

"He was a rough cut young man and was a very good worker for us. He had a work ethic second to none. One day, I told him I hope you can improve your attitude. He went out and bought a button with the word attitude on it and wore it on his shirt. I said it looks like you have improved your attitude," Halbritter said. "He gave me that pin back two to three years ago. He said, 'I want you to keep it' and I still have that pin."

Kumpf worked at Mid-State Tool and Supply for 15 years before he moved on to Lakemont Park.

According to Lakemont Park President Andrea Cohen, Kumpf had an "undeniable" impact on the park and his community. His creation of Lights on the Lake in 1997 sparked a yearly family tradition for the entire region.

"As we prepare for its 30th season, we are especially mindful that the event is part of Barry's lasting legacy," Cohen said.

Kumpf was a "really good man" who did a lot of work at Lakemont and in the community, according to his friend Vicki Mirenda, former general manager of The Casino at Lakemont Park. Extremely community-minded, he did things around the region that most people didn't know about.

"He was the reason for Lights on the Lake; he had the vision," Mirenda said. "I called him the gentle giant. His handshake was his word."

Rick Capozzi, a close friend and founder of Survival Mindset Co., said Kumpf came up with the idea for the holiday spectacular while sitting in his office during the winter.

"He was sitting in his office writing checks for people when it was cold. He thought, 'What could we do at this time of year to bring in revenue?' He reached out to Steve Sheetz as a sponsor and called other people," Capozzi said.

Kumpf left Lakemont Park to become president and CEO of the Blair County Convention Center. Capozzi said he helped turn the convention center around and make it profitable again. He never competed with local businesses and always focused on bringing in outside business.

"He had one of the strongest work ethics of anyone I have ever known. He was extremely gifted in business operations and finances," Capozzi said. "He always thought the convention center was an economic engine to drive business into Blair County."

Steve Koval, founder of Nittany Strategic Solutions LLC, was Kumpf's trusted business advisor and outsourced CFO at the convention center.

"While working closely with Barry over the years at the convention center, I have always known him to be a man of high integrity who valued his employees and treated them fairly. He was very kindhearted and always put others first," Koval said. "When Barry took over running the convention center, it was experiencing financial difficulties as they just separated from Explore Altoona. With his guidance, he completely turned the operations around to become profitable and cash flow positive."

Kumpf was well respected by others in the community.

Philip Devorris, president and CEO of the Blair Companies, said he had known Kumpf for 30 years.

"He was a great park manager, working closely with both the public and his team at the park. Barry was warm, easy to talk to, and always took time to help when asked. He was an ideal person to manage a community-facing venue, and did a great job at both the park and the convention center," Devorris said.

Steve McKnight, president/CEO of Altoona-Blair County Development Corp., said Kumpf will be remembered for his work ethic and his willingness to lead by example.

"Barry was always kind, energetic and put the organizations he worked with first in all that he did," McKnight said.

Jamie Van Buren served on the convention center board for 25 years.

"He intuitively knew what the customers wanted and was able to provide a lot of quality service to the customers. He understood what it was all about," Van Buren said. "Lights on the Lake was his bailiwick and it continues to grow and bring smiles to everyone's face, what a legacy for the area."

Former Blair County Commissioner Donna Gority said she had very fond memories of working with Kumpf. They worked together on several boards and commissions, including United Way and the visitors bureau.

"Barry always handled himself with passion, intelligence, dedication and grace. As a result, he was a joy to work with. He also had a wonderful sense of humor," Gority said.

A funeral service for Kumpf was held Tuesday in Stevens Memorial Chapel, with Pastor Douglas

McGaffin officiating.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.

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