Tennessee has a new state tourism director as Gov. Bill Haslam has appointed Kevin Triplett as commissioner of the state’s Department of Tourist Development. Triplett, 49, will leave his post as vice president of public affairs for Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS). Prior to joining BMS in 2005, he worked in various roles for NASCAR, ultimately serving as managing director of business operations, guiding the operation and administration of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Camping World Truck Series. Triplett succeeds Susan Whitaker, who announced her departure in December. She is a former Dollywood executive who served as commissioner during Gov. Phil Bredesen‘s administration, as well as during Haslam’s first term.
Hyatt Hotels Corp. has announced two key appointments: Debra Goetz has been named senior vice president, corporate marketing and global communications; and Sandra Cordova Micek has been appointed senior vice president, global brands. Goetz joins Hyatt with more than 20 years of brand marketing expertise, including most recently as vice president of corporate marketing for the Gannett Company where she led marketing and communications initiatives. Prior to Gannett, she served as vice president at NBC Universal where she led the company’s Healthy at NBCU and Green is Universal initiatives, and as vice president for Univision Communications Inc. Cordova Micek brings more than 20 years of brand-building experience to the role, most recently as senior vice president of marketing for USA TODAY . Prior to USA TODAY, she was a vice president at NBC Universal, where she led cross NBCU sales and marketing and ran Women at NBCU.
SeaWorld Entertainment has announced the selection of a new president and CEO: He is Joel Manby, who most recently spent a decade as president and CEO of Herschend Enterprises, the largest family-owned theme-park and entertainment company in the country, with more than 20 entertainment attractions includes Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo.; Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Ga.; and the Harlem Globetrotters franchise. Manby, 55, succeeds Jim Atchison, who stepped down as CEO in January.
Marc Anderson was recently named chief sales officer and senior vice president for Choose Chicago. Before joining Choose Chicago, Anderson served as regional director of marketing for the U.S. and Canada for Peninsula Hotels. Anderson is, in effect, returning to the tourism agency. Prior to his work with Peninsula, Anderson worked for the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, which was renamed Choose Chicago. During his previous tenure, he served as assistant vice president of sales.
American Express Global Business Travel has announced the appointment of Christine Ourmieres-Widener as chief global sales officer. She joins the company after leaving her post as CEO of CityJet. She will start her new position in June.
Cosmos Holidays has announced the appointment of a new managing director, Richard Francis, to replace Phil Boggon, who will be leaving the business at the end of April. Francis, who is currently finance director, and has been with the tour operator for more than 14 years. He will also join the company’s group executive committee.
