The VCB
Staff Directory
Tamara Pigott
Executive Director
Directs VCB staff to effectively market Lee County
Leverages tourist tax funds expenditures and resources
Evaluates and develops all market segments
Pamela Johnson
Deputy Director
Assists the Executive Director with VCB operations
Responsible for overseeing Sales & Marketing functions of the VCB
Manages international Sales & Marketing efforts
Alison Giesen
Product Development Coordinator
Assists with Beach & Shoreline funding programs
Assists with Events and Attractions marketing programs
Island Hopper Songwriter Festival
Amanda Auer
Senior Operations Specialist
Provides tourist tax statistics
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest coordinator
Angela Mitchell
Content Marketing Manager
Website development, paid search and native content strategist
Visitor Guide production
Award submissions
Annie Banion
Visitor Services Coordinator (RSW)
Visitor Services Internal and External Communication
Visitor Information Booth Inventory
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest Coordinator
April Bonetz
Fiscal Manager
Budget preparation
Contracts and agreements
Expense reports
Audrey Graf
Fiscal Officer
Accounts payable
Visa transactions
Benecia Toyloy
Visitor Services Coordinator (RSW)
Tourism Ambassador destination training tours
Visitor Information Booth Statistics
Tourism Ambassador Refresher Training
Betsy Bush
National Sales Manager
Meeting Sales Territory: Washington, D.C./Northeast USA
Meeting Planner FAMs
National trade shows
Brian Ososky
Director of Marketing
Administers development of print, broadcast and digital creative
Oversees social networks, websites and online branding
Manages advertising agency, budgets and contracts
Bryelle Benzing
Digital Marketing Manager
Social media and email strategist
Industry education sessions and events
Influencer programs
ADA and DEI representative
Candice Cocco
Tourism Sales Manager
Group Sales Markets: Motorcoach, Social, Military, Education, Religious, and Fraternal (SMERF)
Motorcoach and SMERF site tours and FAMs
Motorcoach and SMERF trade shows
Charm Evans
Global Sales Manager
Sales Manager for international sales
International site tours
International FAMs
Crystal Wanke
Hospitality Customer Service Training Specialist
Customer Service Training Specialist
Hospitality Tourism Education
Guests First Training Coordinator
Emily Bodnar
Sales Coordinator
Sales Coordinator for Domestic and Global Sales
Assists site tours and FAMS
Erin Junkin
Customer Service Specialist
Updates Simpleview listings
Coordinates domestic trade shows
Erin Lester
Sales Manager
Meeting Sales Territory: Florida/Southeast USA
Meeting Planner site tours and FAMs
National trade shows
Fran Belasco
Operations Director
Executive Director’s schedule and TDC meetings
Provides tourist tax statistics
Jackie Parker
Communications Manager
Content creator and editor
Producer and host of Shellcast podcast
Leads familiarization tours and point-person for media missions
Editor of monthly industry partner newsletter
Jennifer Walla
Leisure Sales Manager
Sales Markets: Travel Advisors, Weddings and Consumers
Travel Advisor Help Desk, FAMs, site tours and sales missions
Wedding specialist
Wedding and travel advisor trade shows
Jill Vance
Director of Sales
Directs domestic sales strategy for all markets
Manages Sales & Marketing Plan, sales budget, staff and training
Lauren Hyps
National Sales Manager
Meeting Sales Territory: Milwaukee/Midwest USA
Meeting Planner FAMs
National trade shows
Lesley-Ann Thompson
Marketing Manager, Brand Strategy & Campaigns
Brand strategy and campaign development (consumer and trade)
Advertising for broadcast, streaming, print and digital
Video production and image gallery asset development
Miriam Dotson
Communications Coordinator
What To Do weekly event listings
Film permits
FAM tours and media missions
Moira Larkin
Visitor Services Supervisor (RSW)
Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards
Visitor Information Booth Technology
Tourism Ambassador Recruitment
Nancy Macphee
Tourism Product Development Manager
Beach & Shoreline funding program
Events & Attractions marketing programs
Ecotourism and placemaking initiatives
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest
Natalie Duran
Sales Coordinator
Sales Coordinator for Domestic and Global Sales
Assists site tours and FAMS
Nicholas Gallant
Operations Coordinator
Coordinates TDC Meetings
Conducts assigned tourism research
Staff Human Resources Liaison
Ray Sarracino
Director of Communications
Communications strategies and media outreach
Local, national and international public relations efforts
Shelley Crant
Sales & Public Relations Manager
Markets: Travel Advisors, Consumers and Media Journalists
Travel Advisor FAMs
Travel agencies sales calls
National travel trade and consumer trade shows
Simone Behr
Director of Visitor Services (RSW)
Team Tourism Lecture Series
Lee County Travel Rally
Visitor Assistance Program
Thomas Derathé
Operations Specialist
Assists communication team
Assists operations team
Coordinates TDC meetings
Simpleview Administration & Training
Tiffany Gobert
Fiscal Officer, Sr.
Accounts payable
Events and travel expenses
Transaction analysis
Vanessa Gomez
Marketing Specialist
Industry partner website assistance
Administrative and event support
