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Peter Cranis

Peter Cranis (4 August 1962 – present) is an American businessman who is currently the Executive Director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism. He has spent the better part of his business career in the marketing and sales of tourism destinations and attractions.

Early years

Cranis was born in New York City to Paul Cranis and Susan Cranis where he lived until he was 8 years old. During that time his mother, a school teacher, divorced Paul and remarried his step-father Bernard Wiseman, a children's book author and cartoonist. They then moved the family to Westport, Connecticut where he attended elementary school. Three years later, they moved to Wilton, Connecticut where he attended middle school and the first year of high school (9th grade) at Wilton High School.

In 1977, the family moved to Melbourne, Florida where Cranis attended and graduated from Eau Gallie High School in 1980. During that time his mom had 2 more children - brothers Michael and Andrew. Following high school, he attended Brevard Community College (now Eastern Florida State College) as a Journalism Major and graduated with honors.

He then went to the University of Central Florida where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Communication, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He continued on to receive his Master's Degree in Communication.

Early Career

While beginning his Master's Degree, Cranis began his work career at a local financial firm as their Director of Communications. There he used his writing skills to publish a newsletter and many articles about financial and tax planning. He then became a freelance writer and wrote many articles about banking and finance. Following that Cranis had his first opportunity to work in the tourism industry becoming an Advertising and Public Relations Coordinator for Church Street Station, a tourist attraction in downtown Orlando. He then joined United Telephone of Florida (a division of Sprint Corporation) from 1987-1990 as a Public Relations Coordinator and then as Advertising Manager, developing the advertising for the Florida market. He then was named Assistant Vice President of Marketing for SunTrust Banks where he developed advertising programs for the Florida division from 1990 to 1995. He was named Director of Marketing for Kirchman Corporation, an international bank software firm from 1995 to 1997.

In 1997, he had the opportunity to go back into tourism, becoming the Director of Marketing for the American Automobile Association National Office until 1999 where he developed regional and national marketing and advertising programs for the travel company.

Later Career

In 1999, Cranis was named the Vice President of Global Consumer Marketing for the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau (later named Visit Orlando). He spent 16 years with the organization managing and developing the advertising and marketing programs for the US and internationally, arguably helping put Orlando on the map as more than just a place where Disney World resided.

He left Visit Orlando in 2016, becoming the Head of Sales and Marketing for the Orlando Eye, a 400-foot observation wheel located at the tourism hub, ICON Park.

In 2019, he was named the Executive Director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism, a division of Brevard County government responsible for promoting the area as a tourism destination. There he manages a staff of 18 and a $50 million budget.

Personal Life

In 2017, Cranis married Melissa Morrow and they currently reside in Brevard County with their two miniature poodles Fifi and Pippa. His mother, Susan Wiseman, retired from the Brevard County school system and still resides in Melbourne with his brother Andrew. Michael resides in New Jersey with his wife and family of 3 children and works in New York City as a partner in a major law firm. Cranis also has a brother and sister from his father Paul's 2nd marriage - Christopher Cranis who resides in Texas with his wife and son and Whitney Hanley who has 2 daughters.