NOMINEE REQUIRING SENATE CONFIRMATION

AGENCY DIRECTOR BACKGROUND SUMMARY

 

 

 

 

 

NOMINEE:                           Sharon Lynn Henry

 

POSITION:                           Director of the Office of Tourism

 

APPOINTING GOVERNOR:  Janice K. Brewer

 

DATE OF APPOINTMENT:  March 20, 2009

 

TERM ENDS: At the pleasure of the Governor

 

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR: 

According to A.R.S. § 41-2302, the Director of the Office of Tourism is responsible for promoting and developing tourism business and planning, and developing a campaign of information, advertising, promotion, exhibition and publicity relating to tourism business, and disseminating such information to the public through various state, national and international media.

 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE OR OTHER STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS:

A.R.S. § 41-2302, the Director is required to have five years’ management experience in the domestic and international tourism and travel industry.  Additionally, the Director must have experience in either marketing or public relations, and have a fundamental understanding of the technical elements of the tourism industry, which includes travel, trade, group, incentive and individual markets, advertising techniques, and advertising evaluation methods.

 

SALARY:   

$102,190 annually

 

AGENCY BUDGET AND FTEs:

Operating budget: $27,049,000

General Fund appropriation: $14,397,100

FTE 39

 

NOMINEE’S QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Education:

St. Louis University                                        One year

American Hotel & Lodging Association        Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA)

 

 

 

 

Employment:

Fiesta Bowl                                Hospitality Marketing Manager                   Scottsdale, AZ    2006-2009

Arizona Tourism Alliance          Interim Executive Director                          Phoenix, AZ       2008-2009

Marklyn Management                 President & General Manager                     Tempe, AZ         2000-2006

Cherry Valley Lodge                  Executive Vice-President                           Newark, OH       1991-2001

Fiesta Inn Resort                         General Manager                                         Tempe, AZ         1987-2006

Fiesta Inn Resort                         Assistant General Manager                         Tempe, AZ         1984-1987

Fiesta Inn Resort                        Director of Sales & Marketing                    Tempe, AZ         1981-198

 

 

Other Qualifications:

Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association (former President)

Valley Hotel & Resort Association (former President)

Arizona Tourism Alliance (former Chairman of the Board)

Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau (former Chairman of the Board, current Vice-Chairman)

American Hotel & Lodging Association (Arizona’s Board Member for eight yeas)

Tempe Chamber of Commerce Board Member

Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau Board Member

Fiesta Bowl Board Member (past Chairman of the Board, still an ex-officio member of the Board)

 

Awards:

Tempe Chamber of Commerce-Spirit of Tempe

Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association Hotelier of the Year

Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association Hall of Fame

East Valley Assistance League- Business Woman of the Year

Governor’s Tourism Award

Governor’s Tourism Hall of Fame

American Hotel & Lodging Association- Volunteer of the Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commerce and Economic Development Committee

April 13, 2009