Executive Officers
President
Jade Perkins
Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau
Originally from southern Ohio, Jade has lived in South Carolina for nearly 20 years. After graduating from Coastal Carolina University with a BA in communication, she went on to pursue her master’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Miami. Jade moved to Florence shortly after completing her education and landed a position with the Florence Convention and Visitors Bureau where she fell in love with tourism. In her tourism development role, Jade covers the sports and meetings markets along with other tourism-driven projects. She is a busy mom of three kids, but when she gets free time, she loves to explore the SC Revolutionary Rivers National Water Trail on the Lynches Scenic River. Jade says” We’re lucky to have such a beautiful, historic river in Florence. I’d love to take you on a paddle!”
Vice President
Charlotte Waters
Visit Oconee SC
Charlotte is a proud resident of Oconee County, having returned in 2013 after almost two decades of living in diverse locations. Currently immersed in the realm of Sales, Marketing, and Social Media with Visit Oconee SC, her career journey began post-graduation from Clemson University. During her first job after college at the Greenville Convention & Visitors Bureau (now Visit Greenville), Charlotte found her passion for the tourism industry. Additionally, she spent six enriching years teaching English in South Korea. As a Lake Keowee enthusiast, she enjoys spending her summers by its shores, cherishing the serene beauty of Oconee County.
Secretary
Mikaela Groomes
South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism
A native of Oconee County, Mikaela has lived all over South Carolina. Currently residing in Myrtle Beach with her wife, she frequently travels as the State Park Marketing Coordinator. Mikaela graduated from Coastal Carolina University with an Interdisciplinary Degree in Wildlife Conservation and Education. Her previous experience includes working in outdoor education with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Oconee State Park. When she’s not in parks, Mikaela enjoys experiencing new restaurants and visiting the mountains.
Treasurer
Mary Ann Keisler
Thoroughbred Country
Mary Ann has been the Thoroughbred Country Regional Tourism Director for more than 20 years promoting Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell counties in South Carolina. She is a member of the SC Association of Tourism Regions (SCATR). She is a Past President of the SCNBTA and has served as the Treasurer for several years. Originally from the Finger Lakes region of New York state, she has lived in many places including Germany, Maine, rural New York and Tennessee. South Carolina is now her home, and she enjoys the state’s many nature-based opportunities. She is proud to be a long-time member of the SCNBTA and enjoys the camaraderie and friendships formed over the years. “Smiling Faces and Beautiful Places” is true not only for South Carolina, but also the SCNBTA.
Past President
Peach Morrison
SC Lowcountry & Resort Islands Tourism Commission
Peach is the Immediate Past President of the organization. She has been with the Lowcountry Tourism Commission for 17 years. Peach is a native South Carolinian who lives in Beaufort and loves being outside enjoying the natural beauty of her region and state.
Board of Directors – Regional Representatives
Kristina Wheeler
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
Kristina Wheeler is a Natural History Interpretation Specialist for the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission. She has been working professionally as a naturalist along the eastern seaboard for almost 20 years, from the Lowcountry of South Carolina down to Belize, Central America. Kristina is an American Canoe Association Level II Coastal Kayak Instructor, Charleston Master Naturalist and Certified Interpretive Guide with the National Association of Interpretation. In her spare time, Kristina thrives off of traveling to new places to go camping, mountain biking, hiking and/or paddling.
Les McCall
Lake Hartwell Country
An Oconee County native, Les is passionate about his region of Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties. An outdoorsman at heart, he loves to hike to local SC waterfalls (and there are ALOT), fly fish or just hang out on the Chattooga and Chauga rivers. A father of two, Les enjoys showing his children all the amazing outdoor treasures to be found in Lake Hartwell Country.
Kaylin Dettman
Visit York County, SC
Growing up in Southern California, some of Kaylin’s most cherished memories revolve around exploring the great outdoors. When life eventually led her to Denver, Colorado, to complete her social work degree, she discovered a passion for craft beer during a tour at a renowned brewery. Shifting her career, she became the Events and Marketing Manager for a brand-new brewery. In the craft beer industry, Kaylin developed a love for photography and gained comprehensive knowledge of social media and marketing strategies. Intrigued by opportunities in the Carolinas, she made the decision to move her family across the country. Leveraging her craft beer background, Kaylin transitioned into the tourism sector. Now, at Visit York County, She’s found a perfect blend of passion for photography, community engagement and advocacy for tourism. Outside of work, Kaylin prefers to spend time outside in nature with her family, hoping to create those same special memories for them.
Micah Decker
Capital City/Lake Murray Country
As the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board, Micah is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive marketing and communication strategies. Her previous experience includes serving as the Director of Marketing for the University of South Carolina School of Music and Director of Marketing for the historic Newberry Opera House. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts from the University of South Carolina, with an emphasis in Film, Video, and Animation, as well as many certifications.
Passionate about community engagement, Micah serves on several boards/committees including the Lexington County SC250 Revolutionary War Commission, the South Carolina Nature Based Tourism Association, the Columbia Museum of Art: Contemporaries Marketing Committee, and the Kids in Parks Lexington, Newberry and Saluda County task force.
Micah is a wife and mother of two rambunctious boys who are always on the lookout for new adventures, ways to spend time outdoors, and opportunities to travel. Having grown up as a military child, Micah has traveled to many parts of the world and called several places home, including Germany, Arizona, Louisiana and Arkansas to name a few. She loves to go hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, and discovering the natural world with her family.
Rachel Knight
Berkeley County Tourism
Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Rachel now lives in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, with her husband, two beautiful children and their beloved black lab named Zeta. She graduated from the University of South Carolina Aiken with a Bachelors Degree in Communications and a minor in broadcast journalism. Rachel loves everything about the great outdoors (except spiders). Her outdoor hobbies include horseback riding, swimming, boating, scuba diving and soaking up sunshine on the beach. Her favorite place to be is on a body water with her family watching the sunset.
Rachel is dedicated to serving in the hospitality, tourism and travel industry and has a passion for learning. She values building connections and fostering positive relationships, both personally and professionally. As the first Tourism Director for Berkeley County Government, she has had the opportunity and privilege to share some of the county’s best-kept secrets and stories with not only travelers to the area, but even with local community members as well. Berkeley County is situated just a few minutes north of the #1 City in the World…Charleston, SC!
Johanna Hodge
Myrtle Beach & The Grand Strand
A Horry County native, Johanna is the Marketing Partnership Program Manager with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB. She has been with the organization for 33 years. A member of SC Association of Tourism Regions (SCATR) and currently serving as President. Johanna graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Not surprising, her favorite thing to do is to enjoy her destination’s greatest asset – The Beach. And when not spending time on the sand, she volunteers her time with various local organizations and family.
James Smith
Old 96 District
Jimmy is the manager of a family-owned business called Earth Connection Outfitters in McCormick, South Carolina. Earth Connection Outfitters is housed in a family homeplace that was built in 1913. He is passionate about connecting people with the special outdoor experiences to be discovered throughout the Little River Blueway and Lake Thurmond Adventure Regions of Western South Carolina. Jimmy is also a past Vice Chair of the McCormick Chamber of Commerce.
April Turner
S.C. Sea Grant Consortium
April is responsible for developing programs and projects to educate citizens, public officials and municipal staff about sustainable land- and water-resource planning. She works in collaboration with other University Extension program specialists and Consortium member institution partners to provide programs, tools and resources on a variety of topics to enhance community efforts to address the pressures of coastal growth. Examples include programs related to low-impact development and green infrastructure, working waterfronts and nature-based recreation and tourism.
Prior to joining the Consortium, April worked as a planner for the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. She earned a BA in geography from the University of Colorado and a MA in parks, recreation, and tourism management from Clemson University.
Amanda Stroud
S.C. Department of Natural Resources
Amanda is the Director of the SC Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Media and Outreach. She previously served the department as the Director of Strategic Communication, Assistant Director of Office of Media and Outreach, Public Information Director of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and Public Information Coordinator of Flood Mitigation.
Lynn Fuhler
Flying Compass, Inc.
Co-founder of Flying Compass, Inc., Lynn has marketed the tourism and outdoor recreation industries throughout her career and is active in rural economic development projects. She is the author of two books on festivals and events. Flying Compass offers project management, website development and tourism marketing services designed to drive visitors. Lynn serves on the board as an advisor.