SearchWide Global Seeking New Leader for Visit Florida Keys
July 16, 2024 – Executive recruitment firm SearchWide Global has been selected by Visit Florida Keys to lead in its search for a new president and CEO. Senior vice president Kellie Henderson is spearheading the assignment. The CEO of Visit Florida Keys oversees the use of the tourism development taxes (TDT) collected in Monroe County, FL, through the Tourist Development Council (TDC) by developing and executing effective marketing, sales, and community engagement strategies as well as providing strategic leadership for and oversight of every aspect of the organization’s operations. Visit Florida Key’s annual budget is fully funded by TDT dollars.
This leader will report to the nine-member TDC board of directors, who serve as volunteers and are appointed by elected board members of the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. The CEO provides the vision and leadership required to sustain the Florida Keys & Key West as Florida’s premier travel destination and the county’s economic welfare.
The CEO advances the TDC mission and drives the achievement of the long-range strategic plan while ensuring the professional and fiscal integrity of the organization. This highly visible community leader interfaces with key industry, government, media, and tourism leaders, serving as the key spokesperson for the organization, and is responsible for creating a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative culture that inspires and promotes a continued focus on excellence. He/she is responsible for the adoption of industry best practices, including the assembly and management of a team of destination marketing professionals who collectively demonstrate excellence in tourism research, sales, marketing, brand management, promotion, and community relations.
SearchWide recently listed educational, professional, and personal qualifications required for this position:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience at the executive level, preferably in the hospitality or tourism industries.
- Proven success in working with government leaders at the local, regional, and state levels.
- Experience in working for boards of directors of not-for-profit organizations that receive public funds.
- Experience recruiting, training, developing, and leading staff.
- Excellent strategic skills and overall business judgment, including the ability to visualize opportunities and continuously improve the existing business.
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- Strong management and interpersonal skills coupled with the ability to lead creative teams and interact with a broad range of business, government, and community associates.
- Demonstrated experience building and maintaining partnerships with industry stakeholders, both public and private.
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.
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Ms. Henderson works in all sectors of hospitality, travel and tourism. She has experience recognizing clients’ needs, identifying best-in-class talent. She also leads SearchWide Global’s industry-wide diversity initiative. She serves on the Destinations International Foundation board of trustees is involved in several other industry organizations. Previously, Ms. Henderson worked in the destination marketing organization and hotel industry.
Past Assignment
SearchWide Global recently recruited Jeff Knapp as the new president and CEO of Visit Bend. Nicole Newman, the search firm’s vice president, led the assignment. He replaces Kevney Dugan, who is now with Travel Oregon. “We were looking for a genuine, passionate, approachable and experienced leader and I know that we found that in Jeff,” said Todd Montgomery, board chair with Visit Bend. “We feel that Jeff will respect the hard work and thoughtfulness that has gone into the strategic planning around Visit Bend’s creative, and thoughtful initiatives to promote the area with a focus on community, sustainability, and respect for Bend’s natural resources and way of life. Jeff is the kind of leader who can take us to the next level in our industry.”
“Bend is clearly a desirable place to live and work, and we did not have a shortage of candidates from which to choose,” Mr. Montgomery said. “Our process has been thorough and successful and we are really pleased with the results and excited about Jeff starting soon. His track record of success and the many ways he’s been recognized in his field in addition to his familiarity with our program make him such a great fit.”
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
