Placer County Visitors Council hires executive director

PLACER COUNTY VISITORS COUNCIL HAS HIRED NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Placer County Visitors Council hired a new executive director Friday, selecting a tourism expert who was an executive at the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau for almost 20 years.

The Visitors Council’s board of directors voted unanimously last week to hire Jan Decker. On Friday, they announced the decision publicly after putting the finishing touches on paperwork for their new employee. Decker is scheduled to take over his new post Jan. 1.  ‘We feel very fortunate to have someone with Jan’s experience, dedication and background,’ said President Larry Jordan of the council’s board of directors.
About 50 people applied for the position.

 In his new post, Decker will be responsible for carrying out board policies and coordinating a wide range of activities that promote Placer County.

 The Visitors Council operates the California Welcome Center Auburn at 13411 Lincoln Way. The facility is one of 13 welcome centers around California sanctioned by state tourism officials. The Visitors Council works closely with Placer County and is funded with transient occupancy tax revenue through a contract with the county Board of Supervisors.

Decker will replace Cynthia Haynes as executive director. Haynes left the post in October 2005. Decker worked at the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau from 1980-1999, serving in several capacities before eventually becoming its executive director. As executive director, he oversaw nine departments with 26 employees and an annual budget that grew to $2.2 million. During his tenure, he helped make Sacramento an important destination for conventions, conferences, trade shows, special events and tourism.

Since 1999, he has been an independent consultant for Transworld Systems, a company in the financial services industry.
Decker has a bachelor’s degree in organizational behavior and human resources from the University of San Francisco. He has held leadership positions in several community, professional and trade associations.

*Placer County