Carolyn McCormick is stepping down as President & CEO of the Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA) after nine years at the helm. The WCVA Board of Directors has been in succession planning discussion since late 2019 and launched a national search led by SearchWide Global in early 2021.
Ms. McCormick led the organization during a time of tremendous change which included the addition of 20 new hotels in Washington County, the introduction of the new Wingspan Event & Conference Center and additional recreational attractions.
During Ms. McCormick’s nine-year tenure with the WCVA, she leaves behind several key accomplishments that will have a lasting positive impact in Washington County. Highlights include re-branding the destination as “Tualatin Valley,” overseeing the creation of extensive video and photo assets library, providing funding and guidance for new destination development projects, and most recently, an ambitious Covid-19 recovery initiative, “The Great 2021 Getaway Giveaway.”
“Living in the Pacific Northwest has been a wonderful experience filled with great hikes, beautiful landscapes, great food, wine and friendships,” McCormick said. “I am honored to have had the opportunity to be a part in representing the entire community and proud to leave a lasting positive impact.”
Ms. McCormick began her career in the travel and tourism industry in 1987 as executive director of the Lake County Convention & Visitors Bureau in Indiana. Over the span of thirty years, she has led travel and tourism development efforts across the United States. Ms. McCormick served as Deputy Director of Tourism, Film & Sports for the State of Indiana; Managing Director of Culture, Leisure, Recreation for the City of Lubbock, Texas; Managing Director of the Outer Banks of North Carolina Visitors Bureau in Dare County, North Carolina, and most recently Washington County, Oregon.
WCVA Board Chair KL Wombacher, who is general manager of the Hillsboro Hops baseball team, emphasized the board’s sincere thanks and gratitude for her leadership through the years, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis.
“We want to thank Carolyn for the amazing job she has done over her nine years here. She is a true professional and friend to all of us and she will be deeply missed. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”
After her departure, Ms. McCormick will head east to her home in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.