Dutchess Tourism, Inc. (DTI) announced the slate of board members who were elected to three-year terms at the board’s annual meeting on January 27, 2022. Members are as follows: Cathy Johnson from HYATT House Fishkill, Jeremy Phillips from Zeus Brewing Company and Schatzi’s Pub, Jennifer Soukup from Soukup Farms, John Stefanopoulos from Four Brothers Restaurants and Drive-in and Millerton Inn, and Danielle Strauch of Van DeWater & Van DeWater, LLP. 

The board also elected officers at the meeting for the fiscal year 2022. David Bova from Millbrook Vineyards & Winery will serve as board chair. Kevin Allan from The Culinary Institute of America will serve as first vice chair and Debra Pemstein from Bard College will serve as second vice chair. Additionally, Gaye Mallet from Adams Fairacre Farms will serve as secretary and Brandon Walker of Essie’s Restaurant will be treasurer. 

“The Dutchess Tourism, Inc. Board of Directors is committed to supporting our professional DTI staff, headed by President & CEO Melaine Rottkamp, in sustainable development of Dutchess County as a destination,” said Bova. “The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of tourism for our communities and local economy, and we are focused on strengthening Dutchess County’s tourism-related businesses and workforce.”

“With this strong team of board and staff, new strategic marketing tools and expanded data research, we are poised to compete with every other destination for our share of visitor spending, talent and investment.” Rottkamp added, “We are thankful for the support of County Executive Molinaro, the Dutchess County Legislature and the Dutchess County IDA as we work to improve the quality of life for our residents and bring more visitors to Dutchess County.”

In 2020, visitors injected $417.8 million into Dutchess County’s economy. Each household in Dutchess County would need to be taxed an additional $607 to replace the visitor taxes received by state and local governments in 2020. Tourism also supports the livelihoods of county residents in the form of 8,050 jobs with a combined income of $315.9 million that then gets spent on things like homes, groceries, and other goods and services.

Left to Right: Cathy Johnson from HYATT House Fishkill, Jeremy Phillips from Zeus Brewing Company and Schatzi’s Pub, Jennifer Soukup from Soukup Farms,John Stefanopoulos from Four Brothers Restaurants and Drive-in and Millerton Inn, and Danielle Strauch of Van DeWater & Van DeWater, LLP.