“A Passion for Pittsburgh:” Jerad Bachar and His Journey to Pittsburgh
Written by Madeline Milchman
-Photo Courtesy of Pittsburgh Business Times-
Jerad Bachar grew up on a ranch in central Kansas, though the journey he took to settle in Pittsburgh spans much farther than the four states separating his hometown and where he currently resides.
The CEO of VisitPittsburgh began his career in Denver, Colorado, where he earned his undergraduate degree. Not long after, in 2002, he made his Pittsburgh debut, working at a Marriott in Cranberry Woods. He then joined the VisitPittsburgh team as the National Sales Director for the next four years. Though he worked in Pittsburgh early on in his career, it wasn’t for another 11 years that he chose the city as his permanent home.
In the meantime, Bachar packed up and moved across the globe, landing in the Middle East. For the next decade, he spent time working in the tourism industry in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
Bachar thinks travel is an important aspect of life, not only for people in the tourism industry but for everyone. Beyond the destinations he worked in, he's travelled across Asia, Europe, South America, and North America. Through his time working abroad and travelling for pleasure, he gained environmental, culinary, historical, and cultural experiences that connect him to the world and other people. He believes, “It's important to remember that the world is a big, complex place. It doesn’t end with just our own individual perspective.”
In 2019, when VisitPittsburgh offered him a position, Bachar finally decided to settle down. Seeking a sense of community, he immediately accepted the offer. He says, “I’ve always had a passion for Pittsburgh. When I moved here for the first time, I fell in love with the entire region.”
His love for the city is evident in his dedication to his job. Just over one year after his return to VisitPittsburgh, he was named CEO in the prime of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite growing fear for the tourism industry during this time, Bachar continued leading VisitPittsburgh into a 10-Year Tourism Development Plan. His leadership proved successful in 2022 and 2023 when he made the City & State Pennsylvania’s Pittsburgh Power list and again in 2024 when Pittsburgh Business Times named him the recipient of the C-Suite Award that celebrates leaders who make a difference in the Pittsburgh Region.
His success is inspired by the many people he encountered in his travels, work, and personal life. The people who taught him lessons of empathy, self-awareness, and forgiveness encouraged his mindset. This includes his commitment to continual growth and learning, which he is most proud of in his career. He says both he and the VisitPittsburgh team are in a constant state of movement, looking for ways to improve and flourish.
This mindset is one that Downtown Neighbors Alliance values. Here in the golden triangle, people like Jerad Bachar deserve to be cherished and celebrated.
