Mr. Turner resigns as tourism committee chairman
Published Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 12:45 p.m.
Nancy Turner, a native of Clark County, has served her community for many years.
But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.
Mr. Turner will step down from his position as executive director of the Winchester-Clark County Tourism Commission after nearly 25 years.
She will take on a new role in Frankfort as deputy director of the Kentucky Department of Tourism.
“I was presented with an amazing opportunity…that first came about in a phone call in February,” she said. “I love this job and the community, but what a gift it is to be able to expand my career at this stage of the game!”
Although this announcement had been made in advance, thoughts on Mr. Turner’s positive contributions were shared at the Winchester-Clark County Tourism Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 30th.
Speakers included Winchester Mayor Joellen Reed, who has known Turner since she was a teenager.
“On behalf of the City of Winchester, you have brought so much sunshine. [and] It’s shining a lot of light on this community,” Reed told Turner. “Things were done right, things were done on time, and you brought so much to this community.”
Elizabeth Chalfant, chair of the Winchester-Clark County Tourism Commission, also spoke.
“We are grateful for her dedication,” Chalfant said. “It was her push and information…[got us] where are we today? ”
According to Turner’s own confession, she started working in tourism when she was still young.
“My first tourism job was in fourth grade,” she said. “It was the very first Pioneer Festival…and the tourism office was in a trailer [near] King of the countryside. ”
During the festival, Turner was given multiple tasks, including packing information packets.
“‘Who would have expected me to be here all these years later?'” Turner asked rhetorically.
After college, Turner worked for a variety of organizations, including the University of Kentucky Basketball Museum and, upon returning to Winchester, the Bluegrass Heritage Museum.
When he took over the job in the early 2000s, Turner definitely wanted to focus on certain things.
“We didn’t really have any tourist attractions open and we spent the first eight years basically developing tourism, trying to create activities that people could come and see and do,” Turner said. He said the plan was a success. “Over the past few years, I have been very fortunate to see the efforts of all kinds of entrepreneurs in the tourism industry. [It’s been a] Comfortable ride! ”
When asked what he enjoyed most, Turner didn’t have to think long.
“I have met and learned from some amazing people in this community. [and] ” Turner said, citing former Mayor Ed Bartner as an example.
Turner said she will also miss the Winchester community, but said she is looking forward to her current position, adding that the community is in a strong position.
“I am confident that my successor will be guided by great people and will accomplish great things,” she said.
