Seattle Southside RTA Welcomes New and Promoted Staff

Jené Santos, Sales Manager

Jené Santos currently serves as Sales Manager at Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority. In her role, Jené focuses on growing group sales activities by promoting and selling the Seattle Southside region as a destination for meetings and group tours. Jené joins SSRTA following a position as a Sales Coordinator for Buca di Beppo, where she assisted sales and marketing efforts through program development and site inspections. Jené holds a Bachelor of Science from Central Washington University, where she studied Recreation and Tourism.

Shawn Woods, Visitor Center Coordinator

Shawn Woods currently serves as Visitor Center Coordinator at Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority. In this role, Shawn coordinates a wide variety of visitor information services and ensures customer service that effectively represents Seattle Southside products and services, as well as coordinates the internship program. Shawn brings prior hospitality and leadership experience to the SSRTA. In prior roles she served as Complimentary Service Supervisor at Embassy Suites and Visitor Center Concierge at Seattle Southside. Shawn also holds an Associate of Applied Science, Hospitality and Tourism Management from Highline College.

Nick Tolley, Social Media & Content Manager

Nick Tolley is the Social Media & Content Manager for Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority. In his role, Nick organizes the creation, branding, design and management of media, marketing materials, and online presence in support of Seattle Southside’s mission to promote leisure and group travel. In his former role, Nick designed and analyzed print and email campaigns at Snoqualmie Casino. He will use his strategic planning and communication skills to develop innovative digital content for the SSRTA. Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Central Washington University.

Noelle Cueto, Partner Services Coordinator

Noelle Cueto is the Partner Services Coordinator at Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority, and is responsible for building partnerships and maintaining relationships with Seattle Southside business associates. In her role, Noelle provides routine contact, partner opportunities and information on sales to tourism related businesses in Seattle Southside. Noelle steps in to her new position following work at the Washington Athletic Club as the Business Development Coordinator and five years at Seattle Southside. She is a graduate of South Seattle College and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Management.

Sherri Scott, Creative Services & Graphic Design Manager

Sherri Scott joins Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority as its Creative Services and Graphic Design Manager, where she will develop all areas of graphic design including print, interactive and digital project work. Sherri joins SSRTA with more than 20 years of design experience. In the past, she designed graphics for the Seattle Seahawks, Microsoft, and Boeing. In her most recent role, Sherri led all graphic design and branding for local agency, Scosh Creative. She will use her leadership experience and design expertise to provide high-level creative services to SSRTA. Sherri holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Washington State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Eastern Washington University.

Autumn Lingle, Executive Assistant & Public Records Manager

Autumn Lingle serves as the Executive Assistant and Public Records Manager for Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority. In her role, Autumn performs complex clerical functions for the Executive Offices, as well as performs Human Resources, public records management and operational tasks. Autumn brings prior administrative experience and knowledge to SSRTA. Prior to her new position, she spent eight years with the City of Des Moines and most recently worked as an Executive Assistant and Human Resources Technician. She uses this previous experience to provide professional and responsible support to the SSRTA.

Brenda Rolph, Vice President, Finance & Operations

Brenda Rolph is the Vice President of Finance and Operations for Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority, where she manages the Authority’s accounting and finance services. Brenda is highly skilled at city and government finance, and brings 25 years of experience managing budgets and financial reporting, and developing programs for cities throughout King County to the SSRTA. In her new role, she will utilize her expertise to perform complex accounting activities, manage financial reports, payroll, budgeting and treasury services. Brenda holds a Master of Public Administration from City University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Central Washington University and an Associate in Arts in Accounting from Highline Community College.

Kristina Thorne, Sports Sales Development

Kristina Thorne holds the Sports Sales Development position for Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority. In this role, Kristina will create business development and sales plans to secure new regional and national sporting event opportunities that will generate a positive economic impact for the area’s business community. Kristina has been with Seattle Southside for seven years, and previously worked as the Visitor Center Manager where she oversaw daily operations and increased sales. Kristina also brings a dynamic sports background to the SSRTA team as a Central Washington University track and field and soccer alumna, and member of multiple Washington sporting associations. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management from Central Washington University.

Meagan McGuire, Vice President, Sales & Services

Meagan McGuire is the Vice President of Sales & Services for Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority, where she ensures business growth through group sales activities and oversees the sales team. In prior roles, Meagan served as the Business Development Manager for Seattle Southside and Group Sales & Private Events Executive for The Museum of Flight. Meagan will use her thorough understanding of the tourism industry and sales expertise to develop effective sales plans to promote Seattle Southside as a destination to group leaders and meeting planners. Meagan holds a Master of Arts in Anthropology from Washington State University and a Bachelor of Science in Archaeology from Central Washington University.

Ashley Comar, Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Ashley Comar is the Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority, where she is the lead strategist for building and contributing to brand equity for SSRTA. In her previous position, Ashley served as the Marketing & Communication Manager for Seattle Southside for six years. She is skilled at increasing customer engagement and project management, and will use her experience to continue to establish SSRTA’s reputation for excellence in the tourism industry. Ashely holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from University of Puget Sound.

Katherine Kertzman, President & CEO

Katherine Kertzman serves as CEO and President of the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority, and is responsible for competitively marketing Seattle Southside as an ideal travel destination. Katherine is a tourism industry veteran and brings more than 25 years of executive director experience in the hospitality industry to the team. Under her leadership, Katherine has helped develop Seattle Southside into one of the leading destination marketing organizations in Washington State and grown the organization’s budget from 150,000 dollars to 4.3 million dollars.

Katherine currently serves on the Board of the Washington State Destination Marketing Organizations as the Legislative Affairs Chair, and has earned the prestigious designation as a Certified Destination Management Executive and a Certified Tourism Ambassador. Katherine holds a degree from Washington State University and completed Masters coursework from the University of Houston.

About Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority

Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority (RTA), is the official destination marketing organization for South Seattle. The organization is responsible for competitively marketing the area as an ideal travel destination for leisure and business travelers who wish to explore Western Washington and an idyllic place for meeting and event planners to hold their events. The Seattle Southside RTA is funded by a self-assessed hotel fund and supported by lodging tax from the cities of SeaTac, Tukwila and Des Moines. For more information, please visit www.seattlesouthside.com or call 877-885-9452