gmhTODAY Winter 2023 | Page 20

The South County

People on the move in 2023

Event Management . She is currently a member of the Western Association of Chamber Executive ’ s Emerging Leaders Council . She is also a board member for Leadership Gilroy and One Giving Tree , and was a founding board member for Gilroy After Hours Rotary .
Victoria and husband Eddie are new parents to baby Roslyn — the youngest One Giving Tree volunteer and future Chamber ambassador , born October 10 , 2022 . We look forward to supporting Victoria in her new role as Presdient / CEO of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce !
Frank Johnson : Visit Gilroy Selects New Executive Director

There is no doubt that when

Jane Howard announced her retirement as Executive Director of the Visit Gilroy California Welcome Center in June of 2021 , many who have had personal or professional interactions with her over the years , panicked . Her announcement came at a time when other key leaders in Gilroy decided to move on . Talk of “ a leadership void ” in the community began to surface . The thought of losing Jane — who ’ s dedication and positive impact to Gilroy through tireless advocacy , graceful ambassadorship , and keen vision were simply at the highest level — was like a family break up where it wasn ’ t “ them ,” it was us . Who could fill the void ? Who could bring the same dedication , positivity , and spirit of collaboration that Jane led with for 17 years ? Did that person even exist ?
Enter Frank Johnson .
In the short time that we have known Frank . we have been impressed . From the start , his openness , passion , and perspectives on what Gilroy has to offer puts you at ease . Speaking with Frank , you can ’ t help but feel confident that after a long and drawn-out search process , Visit Gilroy has found the perfect person to lead the organization into the future . munity partners . Frank was the program and outreach manager at Friends of the Hunley , a world-renowned museum and laboratory in Charleston , South Carolina , featuring the Civil War-era combat submarine H . L . Hunley . He worked at the Charleston Visitors and Convention Bureau , Cruz Bay Watersports in the U . S . Virgin Islands , and in various roles for digital media and marketing companies in California and Florida . He holds a B . A . in Mass Communication and Journalism from California State University , Fresno , and is a veteran of the United States Air Force .
“ I ’ m passionate about all that Gilroy has to offer — our wonderful foods and wines , our close proximity to hiking , coastal destinations , and other attractions . I look forward to elevating Gilroy as a destination for visitors while forging meaningful and long-lasting business relationships within the community .” Frank stated . His outside perspective is breath of fresh air , and gives him a platform to take Visit Gilroy to the next level .
“ Gilroy ’ s diverse cultures offer a great opportunity to help elevate Gilroy as a true destination location . We can build a stronger community for all by working together and supporting the diversity , small businesses , organizations , and the community at large .”
Frank ' s commitment to supporting local businesses includes his “ Eat Downtown twice per week ” initiative that he takes very seriously . “ It can have an immediate impact , save local businesses and jobs .”
Visit Gilroy Board of Directors Chair Kurt Michielssen stated , “ Frank brings a wealth of tourism experience and innovative ideas that we know will be a benefit to our organization . We are very glad to have him on board .”
We can ’ t agree more . Frank is always open to connecting to anyone interested in learning more about Visit Gilroy and his vision for the future . You can find him at the California Welcome Center located at the Outlets , or find him eating lunch in Downtown Gilroy twice per week , every week . That ’ s commitment , and that ’ s Frank Johnson . We are excited to see where he takes us !
Frank hails from Long Beach , CA . He brings over 15 years of tourism experience to his new role and more than 20 years of project management , marketing , sales , creative direction , educational programming , digital media , and customer service . That experience includes roles as the Executive Director at the Museum of the Sierra in Shaver Lake , CA , which he helped revitalize after a major wildfire and pandemic shutdowns . There , he helped secure a 1MM dollar endowment for the museum , and introduced several new exhibits and events while building relationships with key donors and com-
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