The Hopkinsville-Christian County Convention and Visitors Bureau has a new executive director.
Ryan Clark was chosen to lead the local tourism office, board chair Merry Beth Tomaszewski said Monday in a press release. He comes to Hopkinsville from the Oak Grove Tourism Commission, where he has been the director of marketing, public relations and events. Previously he worked for the Kentucky Department of Parks.
Clark will fill the vacancy in the Hopkinsville office created after Brooke Jung announced in late October that she is leaving to accept a job in Albuquerque.
“Ryan has an extensive background in tourism, marketing and event management,” Tomaszewski said in the release. “He also has a knowledge of Christian County and its businesses and attractions. His experience and passion for tourism make him the ideal choice for this position.”
Clark’s starting salary is $52,000, and after 90 days it will increase to $55,000, Tomaszewski told Hoptown Chronicle.
Clark received a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Park Management and a master’s in Nonprofit Management and Marketing, both at Murray State University. He is pursuing a doctorate degree in Education and Community Leadership, also at Murray.
This story was updated to include the salary figure.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.
