John Fieseler has been Executive Director more than 14 years.
Frederick, Md (KM) The Executive Director of Visit Frederick has announced his retirement. John Fieseler told the Board of Directors of the Tourism Council of Frederick County in January about his intentions to retire in the coming months. He has agreed to continue in his job until a successor has been named.
Fieseler took over as Executive Director in December, 1997 following 18 years of working in radio, including here at WFMD and WFRE
In a statement, the Tourism Council says Fieseler came on board as the Board of Directors was developing a strategic plan to focus on attracting overnight visitors to Frederick County, and the best way to accomplish that mission. The Council supported and the General Assembly passed a bill to establish a hotel and motel tax, which is paid by visitors to the county who spend one or more nights. “I’d like to truly thank the elected officials of both parties who saws the value of growing tourism in Frederick County,” Fieseler said in a statement. “It is because of their support that we’ve been able to significantly increase Frederick County’s share of spending done by visitors in Maryland.”
Citing Oxford Economics, the Tourism Council says visitors spend more than $426-million annually, which is up from $126-million in 1998, when the Council began executing its strategic plan. “Every resident in Frederick County has benefited from the visitor dollars that grow Frederick County’s economy and the increased tax revenue used to expand government services for our communities,” says Tourism Council Board of Directors Scott Wisnom.
Fieseler and Wisnom say the many businesses and organizations throughout the county deserve credit for making Frederick County an attractive place to visit. “None of our marketing efforts would mean much if we didn’t have a great product to advertise,” Fieseler said in a statement.
Wisnom said a search committee has been formed to find Fieseler’s successor, and Board of Directors is working with Manpower in Frederick to assist in the search. .
By Kevin McManus