Georgia Tourism Division Gets New Leader

ATLANTA, October 29, 2009 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) has named Kevin Langston the Deputy Commissioner of the state's tourism division. In this role he will spearhead the state's work to grow the tourism industry in Georgia.

'Kevin has been an integral member of our department for many years. His economic development background, deep knowledge of tourism and understanding of our state's assets for visitors make him the ideal leader for this division,' said GDEcD Commissioner Ken Stewart. 'I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to establish Georgia as a premier travel destination.'

Mr. Langston has served as Assistant Commissioner for the tourism division since May 2007, returning to the division after serving as Director of International Operations and Director of Projects, managing the state's offices in ten locations around the world. He has previously served as Assistant Deputy Commissioner for the tourism division, where he oversaw marketing, sales and product development initiatives. Other positions at the agency have included Director of Communications and a number of roles in the department's International Trade Division.

Originally from northeast Missouri, Mr. Langston graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Kansas State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgia State University. He is board member of Travel South USA and chair of its International Committee as well as a member of the National Council of State Tourism Directors and the Georgia Economic Developers Association. Mr. Langston is a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (CEDFP) and serves with numerous other industry and civic organizations.

Mr. Langston's new role will take effect December 1 upon the retirement of Charlie Gatlin, current Deputy Commissioner for Tourism and Marketing, who has served the state for 24 years. Mr. Gatlin began his career with the department as Director of Marketing in the business recruitment division, and has held many vital positions within the agency, including Projects Team Leader, Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner for business recruitment. Mr. Gatlin is also executive director of the Georgia Allies.

In addition, Greg Torre has been named Division Director of the Marketing and Communications division for the department.  Mr. Torre will be responsible for the strategies, execution and results of GDEcD's marketing and communications initiatives, including the Global Georgia international marketing program, the Georgia Dream Pass, Georgia.org and exploregeorgia.org. Mr. Torre's previous roles at GDEcD include Director of the Business Communications team for the Global Commerce division and Division Director for the agency's Small Business and Innovation team. Mr. Torre joined the agency in 1987 as a field representative with the Georgia Film, Video & Music Office.  He was named director of the office in 1998. Mr. Torre is a member of several economic development associations, including the Technology Association of Georgia. He serves on the board of the Georgia Economic Developers Association.

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.

For more information, visit www.georgia.org.