Misty Weisensteiner was named director of the Indiana Office of Tourism Development effective Jan. 14.

Weisensteiner most recently served as the executive director of the Orange County (Indiana) Economic Development Partnership, where she oversaw the organization’s restructuring, created and implemented its strategic plan and boosted the economic outlook and vitality for the southern Indiana county.

“Misty’s impressive resume and career made her a front-runner immediately for the position,” Lt. Gov.  Suzanne Crouch said in a Dec. 18 statement announcing the appointment. “Her experience in the tourism industry and her work invigorating the economic outcome for Orange County will translate well to the tourism industry in our state.”

Crouch said Weisensteiner understands Indiana tourism, its potential in the national audience and how it fits within a larger economic development strategy.  

“I am excited to be a larger part of Indiana tourism and take the assets Hoosiers know are spectacular and share those with the nation,” Weisensteiner said. “It is important we recognize that tourism has an impact on creating superior quality of place, our ability to retain talent and how we grow businesses.”

The state’s Tourism Task Force, created by the General Assembly in 2017, completed its report last month. The task force examined state tourism offices across the nation to learn how they are structured, how they are funded and the relationship between state funding and economic impact.

The report has been submitted to the General Assembly for review, according to Crouch’s office, which oversees the state tourism office.