ASHEBORO, NC – Tammy O’Kelley, Executive Director of the Randolph County Tourism Development Authority, has been reappointed by Thom Tillis, Speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives to serve an additional two year term on the North Carolina Travel and Tourism Board.

The North Carolina Travel & Tourism Board is tasked by general statute to advocate the sound development of the state’s travel and tourism industry and advise the Secretary of Commerce on policy matters related to tourism promotion in North Carolina. Among other duties, the board recommends programs that will promote the state as a travel and tourism destination and advises the Secretary on the effectiveness of agencies contracting with the N.C. Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development, now identified as VisitNC, a department of the new the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.

“Tammy has made major contributions to the promotion of all areas of tourism as a specialized economic development force in both Randolph County and North Carolina. She has our full support in representing Randolph County at the state level and we know that she will do an excellent job as she begins her second term serving on the N.C. Travel & Tourism Board,” said Hal Johnson, chairman of the board of the TDA.

As executive director of the TDA, O’Kelley leads the efforts of the Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau which serves as the official destination marketing organization representing Archdale, Asheboro, Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman, Seagrove, Staley and Trinity; and oversees the staffing and operations of the I-73/74 Visitor Centers in Seagrove. She has been employed with the authority since June, 2001 and was promoted to director in August, 2006. She is the current chairman of the Travel & Tourism Board and the Piedmont Triad Host Group; and is a member of the boards of the North Carolina Travel & Tourism Coalition and Piedmont Triad Film Commission. O’Kelley holds professional memberships in Destination Marketing Association International, U.S. Travel Association, Southeast Tourism Society, and the N.C. Restaurant & Lodging Association.

“I have tremendous respect for the members of the Travel & Tourism Board with whom I serve and look forward to continuing to work together in the next two years advocating for sound policy that protects travel and tourism, North Carolina’s second largest industry,” said O’Kelley upon being notified of her reappointment.

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