Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau trustee Steve Wallace has traded seats with Dewitt Hicks after board members unanimously voted Wallace board chairman Monday.
Last month, Hicks announced his intent to step down as chairman, a position he’s held for about 10 years. He will remain on the board, on which he’s served for more than two decades.
CVB board member Rissa Lawrence nominated Wallace to serve as chairman citing his dedication and community involvement.
“It’s a pleasure,” Wallace told board members. “If I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability. I thank (Hicks) for what (he’s) done with this board. I’ll do the best I can. Thank you for your confidence in me.”
Hicks congratulated Wallace on his new appointment.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as chairman,” he said. “The mission of this board and the CVB is very important for this community. …I personally appreciate the hard work and dedication of this board.”
CVB Executive Director Nancy Carpenter told The Dispatch several board members recommended Wallace to take on the position.
“I’ve known Steve Wallace for many, many years,” Carpenter said. “Steve will do a tremendous job. He’s very dedicated and very loyal. He’s been an exceptional board member.”
Board member Mark Castleberry nominated Liz Terry as vice chairman and the board unanimously agreed. Hicks nominated Castleberry to continue in his role as treasurer with the board’s backing.
“All of our board members are excellent and they all serve with integrity,” Carpenter said. “… Several people asked me about other board members. They said they would like to see Liz Terry in a responsible servant position and I was thrilled Liz agreed today. … We’re excited that Mark will continue in that position. It takes a long time to get acclimated to the financial realm that we have in the tourism industry. Mark never slowed down and he never has. He’s been active on the state level and that’s definitely an asset for us.”
Carpenter added offices are voted on annually and do not have a set number of terms they can serve.
The nine-member board consists of four appointments by the Columbus City Council, four by the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors and a joint appointment of the mayor and board of supervisors’ president.
City council appointments include Hicks, Whirllie Byrd, Terry and Nadia Colom. County appointments are Lawrence, Brock Reynolds, Castleberry and Wallace. The joint appointment is Gen. Thomas “Tango” Moore.
CVB promotes tourism operations county wide and is funded through the 2-percent restaurant sales tax.
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