YVB names new executive director
Linda Jordan will assume duties Jan. 9, 2012
YUMA, ARIZONA - Linda Jordan will be the new executive director of the Yuma Visitors Bureau, effective Jan. 9, 2012, the board of directors announced today.
Jordan was selected by a committee that included YVB board members and community representatives after a regional search that began in October when current executive director Susan Sternitzke announced her intention to step down from day-to-day management duties.
Jordan, who is currently a business services officer with Yuma Private Industry Council, was previously general manager and director of the long haul department for Horizon Moving Systems in Yuma and Tucson.
She has a degree in public relations and business administration from Northern Arizona University and has been involved with a variety of community organizations in Yuma and Flagstaff over the course of her professional career, including Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Committee, Yuma Executive Association and Yuma Foothills Rotary. Jordan is a native of Tucson and is married to Yuma native Mario Jordan.
"The board of directors is excited to welcome Linda to Yuma Visitors Bureau," said Lori Stofft, board chair. "With Linda's strong background in management and finance and her ability to manage projects, the Board feels the YVB is poised to continue making news around the world and to advance to the next level as Arizona's most affordable and authentic destination."
"I am excited about the opportunity to 'sell' Yuma and move forward with the program of work that Yuma Visitors Bureau has developed," Jordan said. "I'll have some big shoes to fill, but this is exactly the kind of challenge I'd choose if I were describing a 'dream job' to best utilize my skills and experience."
"YVB has a great staff in place and I'm looking forward to working with them," Jordan added. "The great thing about coming on board at the height of the tourist season is that it gives me the chance to experience firsthand the operational challenges our staff and members face before getting into planning and development mode."
Stofft said that the YVB board is committed to "continuing down the same path with a clear mission" and noted that Sternitzke and current YVB Director of Agritourism and Marketing Kristan Sheppeard, who also is resigning, will continue to work with the nonprofit on special events and marketing as independent contractors.
"We are grateful to Susan and Kristan for their marketing vision and the staff's extraordinary work over the last 18 months to solidify Yuma's position as a destination," Stofft said.
"I am delighted with the decision to hire Linda and believe her strengths will be a tremendous asset to the agency," Sternitzke said. "Kristan and I are looking forward to being able to focus on marketing, agritourism and events like Lettuce Days."
Stofft said the YVB board was confident that the transition would be seamless and successful.
"When we announced our search, we said we were looking for an executive director with a passion for this community and strengths to complement the talents we already had onboard," Stofft said. "Linda Jordan fits that description perfectly, so we're set to move full speed ahead.
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Yuma Visitors Bureau markets the Yuma area within the travel and tourism industry and to the general public. Direct travel spending in Yuma County totaled more than $566 million in 2010, supported nearly 5,800 jobs and generated $36.3 million in state and local tax revenues.
A longtime favorite with sun-seeking snowbirds, Yuma's population nearly doubles in the winter months, thanks to more than 23,000 spots in RV parks and resorts. The community also offers nearly 4,000 hotel rooms, conference and meeting facilities, and three casinos. For more details about Yuma's year-round attractions, special events - and the rarely "cloudy with a chance of tacos" forecast* - visit www.visityuma.com or call 800-293-0071.
* Yuma hotel guests will eat free every day the sun doesn't shine from Aug. 1, 2011 until July 31, 2012! For more information on our Centennial "free board" promotion, call us.
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