Visit Pensacola Announces Interim President, Succession Plan

Media Contact:

Nicole Stacey
Visit Pensacola
(850) 434-2142
nstacey@visitpensacola.com

Pensacola, Fla. (Wednesday, Oct. 23) – Visit Pensacola announced today that former county administrator Jack Brown will serve as the organization’s interim president.

“Pensacola is home to me and what an exciting opportunity to be involved with an organization that plays such an important role in the community,” Brown said. “I am looking forward to working with the citizens of this community, Visit Pensacola stakeholders and partners and the destination’s future travelers.”

As county administrator, Brown oversaw the day-to-day operations of county government, led the county’s 13 departments, recommended an annual budget and served as a liaison to other local, state and federal entities.

Prior to his work in Escambia County, Brown retired from the U.S. Army in 1996 as a Lieutenant Colonel. From there, he served as general manager of RDS Manufacturing Company, a faculty member at Florida State University and Taylor County Administrator.

“I have full faith in Jack Brown to continue the day-to-day operations of Visit Pensacola. As the former county administrator, he understands the inner workings of county policy and procedures and has built valuable relationships that will benefit the organization,” President Steve Hayes said.

To ensure the future success of the organization, the Visit Pensacola Board of Directors has awarded SearchWide Global the task of recruiting the next president and CEO of Visit Pensacola. At the recommendation from the Executive Committee, a search committee will be created to evaluate potential candidates. The search committee, which will be chaired by Visit Pensacola Vice-Chairman, DC Reeves will be comprised of seven seats including, Visit Pensacola Board of Directors Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and two board members appointed by the chairman. The committee will also include a member from ACE and Pensacola Sports.

“As chairman of the Board of Directors, we know the importance of leadership for Visit Pensacola and the role the tourism industry plays in Escambia County,” Board Chairman Sterling Gilliam USN (Ret.),

said. “Our focus is on finding the right candidate and we know these unique groups will do just that.”

Jack Brown will start at Visit Pensacola in late November to ensure a smooth transition before current President Steve Hayes's final day on Dec. 12. For more information on Visit Pensacola news and happenings, visit www.visitpensacola.org.

About Visit Pensacola

Visit Pensacola is the destination management organization for Escambia County which includes Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. With over 450 years of rich history and 18 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordered by the emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, visitors from all over the world are lured to our pristine shores every year. Visit Pensacola supports the community vision of tourism by serving as the central body responsible for building tourism as an economic engine for our community through leadership, connection, collaboration and communication.