Pending negotiations, Sarah Leonard, currently head of Visit Longmont, has been selected to be Visit Estes Park’s next CEO. The decision came during a special meeting of the Board of Directors on Monday morning.
Leonard’s commitment to community engagement, emphasis on sustainable tourism, destination stewardship, and leadership skills were cited as strengths supporting her appointment.
VEP Chair Sean Jurgens and Vice Chair Kirby Hazelton will lead negotiations on final contract terms with Leonard during the next two weeks. Until the 14-day period has ended, no contract can be signed.
“Her engagement with mountain communities faced with climate challenges, and the ability to work with workforce issues,” were strong, Hazelton said in talking about Leonard’s qualifications for the position.
Other Board members pointed to Leonard’s background of having worked in Alaska, combined with the experience she has gained over the past two years working in Longmont.
“I liked her connections in Colorado,” said Board member Pat Murphy, “I liked her experience a lot.”
Leonard led the Alaska Travel Industry Association team for 10 years and has 20 years of experience in the tourism industry. She became CEO of Visit Longmont two years ago. Leonard received a master’s degree in recreation management and tourism from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in public relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“My vision for Estes Park is to build on strength with a strong brand, and to deliver sustainable tourism throughout Visit Estes Park marketing and management by refining marketing efforts, being brand stewards, and promoting excellence,” Leonard told the Board during a presentation during her interview on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
The CEO position has been unfilled for a year. During that time, finance director Mike Zumbaugh has served as the interim CEO. No date has been set for when Leonard will begin duties in Estes Park.
Leonard and Tyler Daughtery, CEO of Explore Siouxland in Sioux City, IA, interviewed for the position.
If she doesn’t live in Estes, she is unqualified. Out of towner “leaders” have been destroying Estes for decades. How big is her golden parachute?