Executive Director, Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism
Tell us about your career path.
Except for some Army time, my whole adult life (over 30 years) has been in tourism and community development. I am very happy with my career choice.
Why did you join STS?At the very first STS meeting I attended, I had the good fortune of meeting Dorothy Hardman at the registration booth. When I told her I was a first-time attendee, she came around the registration table and gave me a big hug and said, “Welcome to STS!” I remember thinking, “I’m going to like being a part of this group.” More than 20 years later, I still enjoy the family atmosphere of STS.
You’ve been chair of STS for the past two years, what was your greatest learning experience?How passionate our members are about STS and its programs.
What are you most proud of from your tenure?- First and foremost, I am proud of the STS staff! I have never worked with a more dedicated and hard-working group of people.
- I am also proud that the STS Marketing College continues to set the bar for tourism education in the Southeast. It truly is a one-of-a-kind program of which all STS members should be extremely proud.
- I am proud that STS is recognized in Washington, D.C., as one of the premier regional travel organizations in America because of the work of the STS Policy Council.
- I am proud of the tremendous membership growth that STS has enjoyed in the past several years.
- I am proud of the outstanding communications vehicles that STS has developed to keep all of its various audiences up to date on what the organization is doing and is planning to do.
STS is in very capable hands as we move forward into 2010 and beyond because of our outstanding staff, the incoming slate of officers (Chair Rob Varley, Vice Chair Susan Thomas, Treasurer Kelly Miller and Secretary Karen Trevino) and a strong and dedicated board of directors.
Serving on the STS board and as its chair has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career in tourism. I have made life-long friendships, and my career has benefited immensely from my involvement in STS. I also feel very fortunate and blessed to have been along for the ride.
How do you measure success in life?My military training taught me to uphold three core values: Integrity First; Service Above Self; and Excellence In All You Do. I try to live my life by those values, and I believe by doing so that I will always come out on top.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?Considering how much I love tourism, people probably would be surprised that I might have stayed in the Army if the Army had been a little smarter. I was forced to choose between being transferred from Hawaii to Korea or leaving the service. I picked East Tennessee over Korea and never looked back.
You may reach Leon Downey at ldowney@mypigeonforge.com.
For more information http://www.mypigeonforge.com/.