The Lauderdale County Tourism Commission on Monday announced longtime Meridianite Laura Carmichael will take over as tourism director.

Carmichael brings a wealth of experience to the job having served in a number of public and private roles throughout Meridian. She formerly served as business development and marketing director at Rush Health Systems, which is now called Ochsner Rush Health, director of community development for the City of Meridian and most recently as director of development for Anderson Regional health system.

Neil Henry, who serves on the tourism commission, said he and his fellow commissioners were excited to have someone with Carmichael’s experience step into the tourism director role.

“We are thrilled to bring someone with such a wide variety of experience as Laura Carmichael. Laura has developed relationships throughout our community, and our great state, and we are excited about Laura taking on this role,” Henry said in a news release announcing the hire. “Laura’s love of Meridian and Lauderdale County will show in her work as she looks to expand, and grow, tourism in Meridian.“

Carmichael will take over the role vacated by former director Dede Mogollon who announced in May she would be leaving to pursue other opportunities. Mogollon, who led the county’s tourism efforts for more than a decade, oversaw and contributed to a period of unbridled growth and investment into the downtown area, including the creation of the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian, Threefoot Brewery, Threefoot Hotel and more.

In a Council of Governments meeting Monday, Meridian Main Street Director Matt Schanrock said he looks forward to working with Carmichael to continue and build on downtown Meridian’s growth.

Henry said the commission also wanted to thank Steve Martin, who served as interim tourism director as the hiring process played out, as well as the staff of Visit Meridian for their hard work keeping the county’s tourism arm up and running.

For more information about Lauderdale County Tourism, visit them online at visitmeridian.com.