Staunton names new director of tourism from Appalachia, a 2023 Business Person of the Year

Johnson has more than a decade of experience in sales, marketing and creative destination development. A native of Appalachia, she has worked within the mission of creating, serving and enriching rural communities, most recently in eastern Kentucky.

“It’s a true honor for me to join the Staunton community,” Johnson said.

Before coming to Staunton, Johnson was the Executive Director of Tourism in Prestonsburg, Johnson and her team have seen record high visitation consistently in the last four years.

Johnson is involved in the arts and was the Artistic Director of Artists Collaborative Theatre in Elkhorn, Kentucky. She was president of the Kentucky Appalachians regional tourism initiative, and on the Kentucky Travel Industry Association board, representing Kentucky tourism at the state level.

Johnson was recently named the 2023 Business Person of the Year by the Floyd County Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. She has a bachelor’s from the University of Kentucky.