Interim President & CEO Jim Dean Resigns
Jim Dean resigns as Interim President and CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
Apr 10, 2019
St. Pete/Clearwater
Visit St. Pete/Clearwater Interim President & CEO Jim Dean has announced his resignation effective Friday, April 12. Dean started with VSPC in February after leading Busch Gardens and SeaWorld for decades.
"Visit St. Pete/Clearwater is a great organization with a talented and motivated team that has unlimited potential. Great work is being done as our tourism results continue to show promise for the summer and the remainder of the year as we have enjoyed a very successful spring." - Jim Dean
"It was a difficult decision but I have a rare opportunity to lead an organization in my hometown of Memphis," Dean said. "I'm grateful to have worked for Pinellas County Administrator Barry Burton, the Pinellas County Commissioners, the members of the Tourist Development Council and the Visit St. Pete/Clearwater team.
Last month, Burton announced the hiring of Minnesota-based Searchwide Global, which specializes in finding leadership talent in the tourism sector, to begin a nationwide search to fill the President & CEO position permanently. With Dean's departure, Paul Sacco has been named Interim President & CEO of Visit St. Pete/Clearwater. Sacco is also moving into the position of Director of Solid Waste. With that move, Joe Lauro is being named Interim Assistant County Administrator overseeing VSPC, Office of Management & Budget, Office of Technology and Innovation, Real Estate Management, Purchasing and Risk effective Monday, April 15.
