Tourism arm gets new leadership

The vice president of operations for Visit Oconee – Cricket Barnett – is moving up.  Barnett was named today as president/CEO of the county’s nonprofit destination marketing organization. Deputy county administrator Phil Shirley says Barnett “has earned the trust and respect of our partners through her dedication, professionalism, and collaborative approach.   She understands our mission, embraces our vision for sustainable tourism, and has the experience, leadership and passion to successfully guide the organization into its next chapter.”   Under Shirley and the now retired president/CEO Ken Sloan, Visit Oconee has grown into a respected destination organization.  It twice has won Southeast Tourism Society’s Tourism Of the year award for organizations with operating budgets under $1 million.