POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess Tourism, Inc. (DTI) has announced that Mary Kay Vrba, the organization’s president and CEO, will retire effective July 20.
The organization will conduct a transition and search process for a new, permanent president/CEO.
Vrba has contributed over 25 years of experience to DTI, serving most recently as executive director for eight years preceding her current position. Before her tenure at DTI, she held positions at Hudson River Valley Association, Crossroads International and Dutchess County Parks, Recreation and Conservation – a 40-year career devoted to local tourism.
Under Vrba’s leadership, Dutchess County’s tourism industry has grown with more than 4.5 million visitors annually, spending over $640 million and supporting more than 11,000 local jobs.
Launch of the organization’s first website in 1995 – today’s Dutchess Tourism website is visited by over one million visitors,
“There comes a time in everyone’s career where it is time to move on to the next adventure, and that time for me is now,” Vrba said. “I plan to take some time to relax a bit and maybe do some hiking. There’s a chance that I will be heading to Canada for a fishing trip as well.” When pressed about taking her tourist dollars out of the country, Vrba was quick to add that she might head to Orvis in Dutchess County for some fly-fishing lessons as well.
“Throughout her tenure at Dutchess Tourism, Mary Kay Vrba has been a master of telling the story of Dutchess County, sharing with visitors from around the world that which make us such a unique and desirable destination,” said County Executive Marc Molinaro. “Mary Kay has raised our county’s profile throughout the national and international travel markets, becoming a respected industry leader, revered for her knowledge, experience, and professionalism. More than simply an advocate for what makes Dutchess truly distinct, Mary Kay has led the charge for our local tourism industry, an economic engine that adds more than $600 million in annual visitor spending and employs thousands of our residents.”
