Kym Crump elected president of the Rotary Club of Front Royal

In a 94-year-old ritual, Kimberly Gibbs Crump, known locally as Kym, was sworn in to the presidency of the Rotary Club of Front Royal on Friday, July 13, by retiring President Rick Novak.

Crump, a self-described “Army brat”, was born in Germany but has lived most of her life in Front Royal. She has been the executive director of the Blue Ridge Arts Council (BRAC) for the past 18 years. Her husband, David, is a lawyer.

Kym was surrounded by family – she has six children – and friends at a crowded Rotary Club luncheon at the Holiday Inn for the swearing-in, and was serenaded in a song from Broadway musicals by her youngest son, Evan, a graduate of the University of Mary Washington’s theatre program, accompanied by Melissa Chavez.

Kym Crump is sworn in as Rotary Club of Front Royal president for 2018-2019 by outgoing President Rick Novak. Courtesy Photo/FR Rotary

Kym was on the last board of directors of the historic Wayside Theatre in Middletown which closed its doors in recent years after a 52-year run. She served two terms (2001-2007 and 2010-2017) on the Front Royal/Warren County Chamber of Commerce.

Kym is a graduate of Warren County High School (1978), attended Radford College, Lord Fairfax Community College, and James Madison University, majoring in theater arts and political science. She has been a member of Front Royal Rotary since 2001.

In a brief acceptance speech, Crump said: “As incoming leaders, we have been tasked to be the “inspiration” to our (Rotary) clubs…I look around this room at an already inspired group of individuals (committed) to something bigger than themselves and who work for a common good through the many avenues of Rotary.”

Crump will serve in her Rotary club position for one year.