Debbie Wilson
MONTGOMERY– Florence tourism executive Debbie Wilson will become the manager of the Alabama Tourism Department’s welcome center program which operates eight information centers, director Lee Sentell said today.
She will supervise 40 people at the centers on interstates at the state borders and create displays that communicate messages to 5 million visitors each year, he said.
Sentell said Gov. Robert Bentley instructed Cabinet members to recruit the best possible people for senior positions during his second term which begins next Monday. “I approached Debbie several months ago and didn’t stop until she agreed,” he said.
Lee Sentell – Alabama Tourism Director
The state tourism department took on support of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2013 because of a positive relationship with Florence-Lauderdale Tourism. In addition, museum staff members organized the induction ceremony a year ago with assistance from Wilson’s agency and Judy Hood, wife of “Swampers” musician David Hood, he said.
Wilson will remain involved with the Shoals community as the North Alabama regional director, Sentell said. The state tourism agency assigns a staff member to be a liaison with each of the state’s four regions. She succeeds Brian Jones, a Decatur native and graduate of the University of North Alabama, who will become the contact with another region.
“I’ve worked with Debbie for most of the 20 years she has been at Florence-Lauderdale Tourism. She is a creative, high energy professional who is totally committed to our industry. She is a great leader and will be fantastic in her new role,” said Sentell.
Ms. Wilson will join the agency Feb. 16. She succeeds Frances Smiley, who began as a tour guide at the State Capitol, became director of the agency, and most recently manager of welcome centers during a 30-year career. The position has been vacant for a year.
MEDIA RELEASE/ALABAMA TOURISM DEPARTMENT/LEE SENTELL/BRIAN JONES
