SearchWide Global Seeking CEO for Visit California
May 19, 2026 – SearchWide Global is currently seeking a new CEO for Visit California. The assignment is being led by Mike Gamble, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of SearchWide. Visit California is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and politically astute leader to serve as the next CEO. As the organization’s chief strategist, brand steward, and operational head, the CEO works closely with the board of directors to shape and advance Visit California’s mission, guide statewide and global tourism marketing, and ensure strong organizational performance.
In this role, the CEO provides strategic leadership across marketing, communications, government affairs, industry relations, financial management, and talent development. This leader also represents California’s tourism industry on the national and international stage, serving as its primary ambassador and advocate.
The CEO serves as the chief strategist, brand steward, and operational leader of Visit California. The CEO provides executive leadership across marketing, communications, government affairs, industry relations, financial management, and talent development, while serving as the primary ambassador for California tourism domestically and internationally.
SearchWide is seeking a proven executive leader with tourism or adjacent industry experience who understands marketing, government relations, and complex stakeholder environments. Those applying must have a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in business, marketing, hospitality management, or a related field along with 10-15 years of CEO or senior leadership experience. They should have proven success leading large-scale marketing strategies, brand platforms, and multi-market campaigns as well as demonstrated ability to work effectively with boards, government entities, industry leaders, and diverse stakeholders.
Visit California is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring travel to and within the state through innovative marketing programs developed in partnership with California’s travel and tourism industry. Visit California’s work is guided by an industry-led 37-member board of directors representing all major tourism sectors and each of California’s 12 tourism regions.
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SearchWide Global, based in St. Paul, MN, is a full-service executive recruitment firm primarily for companies in the travel, tourism, hospitality, convention, trade association, venue management, and experiential marketing industries. The firm specializes in C-level and director-level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations.
Cody Yellowstone Search
SearchWide Global recently placed Michael Wambolt as the new executive director of the Park County Travel Council (Cody Yellowstone). Kellie Henderson, global head of destinations, led the assignment. “We are thrilled to welcome Michael Wambolt to Cody,” said John Parsons, chairman of the board of directors of PCTC. “He is a travel industry veteran with a wealth of experience who is eager to experience the rich outdoor recreational offerings of our destination. We think he’s going to be a terrific fit for Cody Yellowstone.”
Executive Search Continues Its Confident Climb As Transformation Takes Center Stage
The executive search industry entered 2026 from a position of strength. According to Hunt Scanlon, fee revenue at the 50 largest executive search firms in the U.S. / Americas – the global talent sector’s largest and most dominant region – jumped 11 percent last year, topping out at $6.69 billion. Seventy-five percent of search firms on the roster polled by Hunt Scanlon reported positive growth, with nearly half (24 firms), expanding by double digits. By every measure, it was a big year.
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Mr. Wambolt has been executive director of Visit Morro Bay, a coastal community in central California since 2021. He has also worked for Visit SLO CAL as director of travel trade overseeing sales efforts for all lodging in San Luis Obispo, as director of sales for SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Atascadero, CA, and director of sales for Sea Ocean Front Hotel in Pismo Beach, CA.
The Park County Travel Council is a Joint Powers Board composed of ten volunteer members representing various communities across the region. It is dedicated to obtaining national and international recognition for Park County, Wyoming, and promoting it as a year-round destination filled with opportunity, adventure, and natural beauty.
Related: SearchWide Global Recruits CEO for Finger Lakes Visitors Connection
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
