The Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau has hired a veteran finance and operations manager for tourism agencies in Michigan and Texas to serve as the first chief operating officer for the local tourism promotions group.
Mike Zumbaugh, a certified destination management executive, joined the Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau this month to focus on streamlining the company’s finances, human resources and operations and implementing the bureau’s strategic plan, which includes seeking accreditation through the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program.
The accreditation program was developed to ensure tourism agencies are using the best financial practices. In 2017, the Chattanooga CVB was criticized in a state audit for failing to keep detailed receipts for credit card transactions under former bureau CEO Bob Doak. Hamilton County Commissioner Tim Boyd criticized the spending practices of the bureau and argued against continuing to give the bureau the proceeds from Hamilton County’s hotel tax, which was projected to generate more than $8 million last year.
Barry White, a former CVB president in Augusta, Georgia, who was hired last year to succeed Doak, said Zumbaugh “is a trusted leader and having him on board will help us move toward operational excellence.”
“We are very excited to welcome Mike to Chattanooga and to the CVB,” White said. “His 27 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry has given him an understanding of all aspects of how a CVB operates, making him uniquely qualified for this role.”