The Kinston-Lenoir County Travel and Tourism Development Authority will have a new executive director for 2020.

Jan Parson received a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors during Tuesday’s meeting, effective Jan. 1.

“Jan has been the face and the force of tourism in Kinston and Lenoir County for many years,” TDA Board Chairman Gram Spear said. “Her reputation around the State of North Carolina is second to none, and we are extremely thankful she has agreed to continue to lead our efforts in making Kinston and Lenoir County one of the top destinations in the state.”

Parson has quite the resume, having served as the director of Visit Kinston and assistant executive director of the Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism Development Authority since 2007. Parson has created partnerships with tourism-related agencies and attractions to offer unique visitor experiences while also working closely with the N.C. Department of Sports, Film and Tourism to promote the area. Parson has helped get stories promoting the community in publications such as Saveur, Southern Living, Our State and Go Carolinas AAA.

Parson was also recognized by the Department of Cultural Resources for creating the state’s first second Saturday in Kinston — a local program which became a partnership between the CSS Neuse-Richard Caswell State Historic Site, Community Council for the Arts, Cooperative Extension-Lenoir County Farmers Market and Visit Kinston.

During her time as the director of Visit Kinston, tourist spending has increased 10 straight years, including a 5.2 percent uptick between 2017 and 2018 in Lenoir County. The increase helped each resident of Lenoir County save an average of $123.06 in taxes based on revenues collected from visitor spending.

“I thank the Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism Development Authority for allowing me to serve as their executive director,” Parson said. “I feel blessed to have the opportunity to lead this organization as we move in a new direction with Visit Kinston, which will open the door to grow tourism in Kinston and Lenoir County to an even greater level.”