Staff Directory
Kentucky Department of Tourism
500 Mero St., 5th floor
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
502-564-4930
800-225-8747
Commissioner's Office
Mike Mangeot, Commissioner
502-892-3222, [email protected]
I am a native Kentuckian and am privileged to be able to promote my home state as a tourism destination. In my spare time there is nothing I enjoy more than fishing.
Janet Rivers,
Executive Administrative Assistant,
502-892-3222, [email protected]
Kentucky is my home and I enjoying talking about all the wonderful places to visit and see in my home state. My husband and I have planted our small acreage with KY native plants, trees and enjoying bird watching and taking care of our three dogs.
Kimberly Clay,
Director of Cultural Heritage,
502-892-3235, [email protected]
I serve as the cultural heritage tourism director for KDT. I am responsible for the supervision and development of cultural and heritage tourism initiatives, manage KDT's strategic plan initiative, and represent both KDT and the state in matters regarding cultural heritage tourism, serving as Kentucky’s advocate on related issues. I love exploring Kentucky’s less-known stories and hidden gems.
Chenelle Mcgee,
Director of International and Group Sales
502-892-3232, [email protected]
I am a graduate of the Art Institute of California and served in the United States Marine Corps before joining the tourism industry at ShelbyKYtourism. As the International and Domestic Sales Director, I thrive on the opportunity to focus more attention on partnerships, and data to assist in showcasing the great Commonwealth of Kentucky with visitors, sightseers, and wanderers alike.
Courtney Hall,
Program Research Coordinator,
502-892-3229, [email protected]
I am the program research coordinator. I am married and have two dogs and a kitten. My husband and I love to travel, hike, fish, and spend time with family. My favorite place in Kentucky is the mountains in eastern Kentucky.
Jacob Lilly
Special Projects Coordinator
502-892-3168, [email protected]
I love making memories on exciting trips and vacations with my family, spending time with my pets at home, or just relaxing and diving into a great book. You’ll typically find me attending a tour at a historic site or museum somewhere around the Commonwealth.
Communications
Kristie Wooldridge,
Director of Communications
502-892-3452, [email protected]
I am a proud Kentuckian and graduate of Eastern Kentucky University who enjoys learning about the unique people, places and traditions that make up our state and sharing those stories. Prior to this role I worked in public relations supporting the bourbon industry for several years, and before that reported for a handful of newspapers across Kentucky as a journalist.
Emily Crowe, Social Media Specialist
502-892-3220, [email protected]
My name is Emily Crowe. I have been the Social Media Specialist for the Kentucky Department of Tourism since August 2021. I enjoy exploring all of Kentucky’s great outdoors and eating delicious food across the Commonwealth.
Marketing
Kathy Yount, Marketing Director
502-892-3224, [email protected]
I am the marketing director and have been with the department since 1997. I am married with 2 daughters and 4 grandkids. We all love to travel and spend a lot of time on the water. My favorite Kentucky place is Cumberland Falls.
MaryAnn Seeman,
Graphic Design Coordinator
502-892-3226, [email protected]
I have been a graphic designer for the Kentucky Department of Tourism since 2003. I am married with two kiddos. We love to travel and we also love coming back home to our life in the country, where we often go for walks and bike rides. Making memories with my family is my favorite thing to do.
Emily Roberts, Digital Asset Coordinator
502-892-3233, [email protected]
I began as the digital asset coordinator in May 2020. You can find me on the road digging into Kentucky's music history or in my backyard gardening.
Tourism Services
Rhonda Nix, Program Manager
502-892-3217, [email protected]
Hello, I am the Regional Marketing & Matching Funds Program manager. I started this adventure with the department 36 years ago. My 27 year old son Tyler, is my pride and joy along with his beautiful wife Taylor. Vacations are my favorite hobby and attending tourism events with my selfie stick, so smile next time you see me.
Karen Hackett, Program Assistant
502-892-3218, [email protected]
It was with great enthusiasm I joined KDT in January 2021 as the Regional Marketing & Matching Funds Program Assistant. Having worked in the state’s travel & tourism industry for over four decades, this opportunity enabled me to remain employed in a rewarding career path, stay connected to statewide partners and offer assistance in areas that help contribute to the growth of the Commonwealth’s economy.
Kenny Atha, Welcome Center Manager
502-892-3239, [email protected]
I began as the welcome center manager in 2018 and have been in state government since 2003. I oversee daily operations and tourism employees of our seven welcome centers. I live in Franklin County, KY with my wife and our two children. I enjoy watching my kids play sports, hunting and fishing. We are always traveling the state in search of new adventures.
500 Mero St., 5th floor
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
502-564-4930
800-225-8747
Commissioner's Office
Mike Mangeot, Commissioner
502-892-3222, [email protected]
I am a native Kentuckian and am privileged to be able to promote my home state as a tourism destination. In my spare time there is nothing I enjoy more than fishing.
Janet Rivers,
Executive Administrative Assistant,
502-892-3222, [email protected]
Kentucky is my home and I enjoying talking about all the wonderful places to visit and see in my home state. My husband and I have planted our small acreage with KY native plants, trees and enjoying bird watching and taking care of our three dogs.
Kimberly Clay,
Director of Cultural Heritage,
502-892-3235, [email protected]
I serve as the cultural heritage tourism director for KDT. I am responsible for the supervision and development of cultural and heritage tourism initiatives, manage KDT's strategic plan initiative, and represent both KDT and the state in matters regarding cultural heritage tourism, serving as Kentucky’s advocate on related issues. I love exploring Kentucky’s less-known stories and hidden gems.
Chenelle Mcgee,
Director of International and Group Sales
502-892-3232, [email protected]
I am a graduate of the Art Institute of California and served in the United States Marine Corps before joining the tourism industry at ShelbyKYtourism. As the International and Domestic Sales Director, I thrive on the opportunity to focus more attention on partnerships, and data to assist in showcasing the great Commonwealth of Kentucky with visitors, sightseers, and wanderers alike.
Courtney Hall,
Program Research Coordinator,
502-892-3229, [email protected]
I am the program research coordinator. I am married and have two dogs and a kitten. My husband and I love to travel, hike, fish, and spend time with family. My favorite place in Kentucky is the mountains in eastern Kentucky.
Jacob Lilly
Special Projects Coordinator
502-892-3168, [email protected]
I love making memories on exciting trips and vacations with my family, spending time with my pets at home, or just relaxing and diving into a great book. You’ll typically find me attending a tour at a historic site or museum somewhere around the Commonwealth.
Communications
Kristie Wooldridge,
Director of Communications
502-892-3452, [email protected]
I am a proud Kentuckian and graduate of Eastern Kentucky University who enjoys learning about the unique people, places and traditions that make up our state and sharing those stories. Prior to this role I worked in public relations supporting the bourbon industry for several years, and before that reported for a handful of newspapers across Kentucky as a journalist.
Emily Crowe, Social Media Specialist
502-892-3220, [email protected]
My name is Emily Crowe. I have been the Social Media Specialist for the Kentucky Department of Tourism since August 2021. I enjoy exploring all of Kentucky’s great outdoors and eating delicious food across the Commonwealth.
Marketing
Kathy Yount, Marketing Director
502-892-3224, [email protected]
I am the marketing director and have been with the department since 1997. I am married with 2 daughters and 4 grandkids. We all love to travel and spend a lot of time on the water. My favorite Kentucky place is Cumberland Falls.
MaryAnn Seeman,
Graphic Design Coordinator
502-892-3226, [email protected]
I have been a graphic designer for the Kentucky Department of Tourism since 2003. I am married with two kiddos. We love to travel and we also love coming back home to our life in the country, where we often go for walks and bike rides. Making memories with my family is my favorite thing to do.
Emily Roberts, Digital Asset Coordinator
502-892-3233, [email protected]
I began as the digital asset coordinator in May 2020. You can find me on the road digging into Kentucky's music history or in my backyard gardening.
Tourism Services
Rhonda Nix, Program Manager
502-892-3217, [email protected]
Hello, I am the Regional Marketing & Matching Funds Program manager. I started this adventure with the department 36 years ago. My 27 year old son Tyler, is my pride and joy along with his beautiful wife Taylor. Vacations are my favorite hobby and attending tourism events with my selfie stick, so smile next time you see me.
Karen Hackett, Program Assistant
502-892-3218, [email protected]
It was with great enthusiasm I joined KDT in January 2021 as the Regional Marketing & Matching Funds Program Assistant. Having worked in the state’s travel & tourism industry for over four decades, this opportunity enabled me to remain employed in a rewarding career path, stay connected to statewide partners and offer assistance in areas that help contribute to the growth of the Commonwealth’s economy.
Kenny Atha, Welcome Center Manager
502-892-3239, [email protected]
I began as the welcome center manager in 2018 and have been in state government since 2003. I oversee daily operations and tourism employees of our seven welcome centers. I live in Franklin County, KY with my wife and our two children. I enjoy watching my kids play sports, hunting and fishing. We are always traveling the state in search of new adventures.