County tourist council adds board members
The Lee County Board of County Commissioners named Colleen DePasquale and Jeff Webb as new members of the Lee County Tourist Development Council.
DePasquale is the executive director of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. Webb owns and operates the Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Myers. The new members were seated at the council’s Feb. 8 meeting.
DePasquale is a former TDC member who sat on the council from 2005 to 2011. Webb has served on an advisory council for the Monroe County TDC and is vice-president of the Lee County Hotel Association.
DePasquale previously served as general manager at three local properties for McKibbon Hotel Management, Inc. including Hilton Garden Inn-Fort Myers, Courtyard by Marriott at Gulf Coast Town Center and the Fort Myers Residence Inn by Marriott. She has been part of the hotel industry since 1986. She earned her bachelor’s degree in hotel/resort management from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania.
DePasquale will replace Warren Wright on the TDC.
Webb began his hotel career in 1987 in Dallas, Texas, with Courtyard by Marriott. He spent 16 years in Key West as the general manager of hotels including Hampton Inn Key West and Ocean Key Resort. He was also managing director of the Radisson Hotel and Comfort Inn. ?His hotel, The Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Myers-Colonial Blvd., is a five-time Hilton Lighthouse Award Winner and has been ranked No. 1 on TripAdvisor for Fort Myers. Webb received his bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Southwestern University in Texas.?
Webb will serve as an ex-officio member representing the Lee County Hotel Association.
The TDC was established by the BOCC in 1983 to increase tourism to Lee County.
Lee VCB announces new visitor services coordinator
The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau welcomes a new member to its staff: Richard Ramsey, a part-time visitor services coordinator.
Ramsey will coordinate the recruitment and training of volunteers. He will also schedule volunteers for community events and speak to area groups about the VCB and its impact on tourism. Ramsey will provide customer service assistance to visitors and travelers.?In his previous position, Ramsey worked with American Airlines and American Eagle at Southwest Florida International Airport in customer service. He also has worked as a customer service representative and night fogger for Lee County Mosquito Control.
He received a certificate in fire science from Florida State Fire College in Ocala. Ramsey has a wide range of certifications including public health, fire inspector, fire instructor, emergency medical technician and public information officer. He also holds an associate degree from Edison State College in fire science.