Meet our Staff
Kara Dense, Executive Director
Kara Dilley Dense is a Greenbrier County native. She holds a B.S. degree in Travel Industry Management, concentrating in Tourism Planning, Development and Promotion from Concord University. Her interest in the tourism industry began while working summers at The State Fair of West Virginia. She also worked for the Southern WV Convention and Visitors Bureau before moving to Tennessee in 1997.
Kara held marketing positions with the Knoxville Symphony Society and the Louise Mandrell Theatre and was association sales manager for the Park Vista Resort in Gatlinburg. She recently spent 6 years working for the City of Gatlinburg’s Department of Tourism where she worked as Convention Sales Manager, Visitor Services Manager and most recently as Director of Sales for the Department of Tourism and Convention Center.
She received her Certified Tennessee Tourism Professional designation in 2000 and was recently asked to represent West Virginia on the Board of Directors for the Southeast Tourism Society. She is also a member of the Lewisburg Rotary Club and the Greenbrier Valley Chorale.
Beth Beyer, Director of Marketing
Beth holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Penn State University. Beth comes to Greenbrier County from Philadelphia, PA, where she worked for The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the non-profit organization known for the Philadelphia Flower Show.
In her role as Director of Marketing, Beth works closely with the Executive Director and coordinates the Bureau’s $400,000 marketing campaign and handles all lead and database inquiries.
Amy Kaczynski, Public Relations Manager
Amy Kaczynski holds a B.S. in Journalism, Public Relations from West Virginia University. Prior to coming to the Bureau, she worked as a Public Relations Coordinator at The Greenbrier. Amy has previously worked as an intern for the West Virginia Legislative Reference and Information Center, as well as the West Virginia University Office of Events and Ceremonies.
In her role as Public Relations Manager, Amy focuses on serving the communications needs of the Bureau, including attracting travel writers, managing media relations and directing all public relations activities.
Abbey Withrow - Sales Manager
Abbey Withrow holds a BS in Journalism and came back to the Bureau in October of 2006 where she served as an Intern in 2005. Abbey most recently was the Marketing and Public Relations Director at Carnegie Hall WV in Lewisburg.
In her new role, Abbey will work to increase group tours and motorcoaches to the area, in addition to attending trade shows and working with area tourism partners to develop packages.
Delilah Dixon, Office Manager
Delilah Dixon is a Greenbrier County native and has come to the CVB from The Greenbrier where she worked in the human resources department as a Benefits Coordinator. In her previous role, Dixon was responsible for administration of pensions, 401(k) plans and vacation and health insurance programs for 1,800 active Greenbrier employees and approximately 700 retirees.
In her role as Office Manager, Dixon will facilitate all the Bureau’s accounts payables and receivables, in addition to managing the Visitors Center staff and supporting the management endeavors.
Mary Cole Deitz, Visitor Center Specialist
Mary Cole Deitz is a Greenbrier County native and came to the CVB from The Greenbrier where she worked for 29 years. Deitz most recently was an assistant manager in two of the resort’s retail venues, Schwabe-May and Wickets. She holds a B.S. from West Virginia University.
In her role with the CVB, Dietz welcomes all visitors to the Center in Lewisburg in addition to assisting with tracking, brochure distribution and welcome packets.
Angela Blair - Visitors Center Assistant, Part Time
Angela Blair is a 2005 graduate of Concord University where she received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Management, with a Travel Industry Management minor. She has previously been employed with the State Fair of West Virginia.
In her new position, Blair will assist in keeping the Visitors Bureau’s website up-to-date and assisting the management staff, as well as distributing content to the county’s tourism partners and potential visitors.
Brent Warden - Marketing Assistant
Brent Warden is a graduate of West Virginia University where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Advertising with a minor in Communications. He previously held positions in the West Virginia Treasurer’s Office, Hendrickson & Long, P.L.L.C. Attorneys at Law and the WVU Institute for Public Affairs.
Warden assists the Marketing Director in implementing the annual marketing budget promoting tourism in Greenbrier County.
