Meet Our Staff
Kara Dense, Executive Director
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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.
Rachael Stebbins, Director of Marketing & Communications
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Rachael comes to Greenbrier County from Washington D.C. where she worked in the fields of marketing and event planning. Prior to that, Rachael was the Director of Communications and Major Gifts for the United Way of Manatee County in Bradenton, Florida. Rachael holds a B.A. in Communications and Sociology from Hope College in Holland, Michigan.
In her role as Director of Marketing & Communications, Rachael works closely with the Executive Director and coordinates the Bureau’s marketing campaign and handles all lead and database inquiries. Additionally, she serves the communications needs of the Bureau, including attracting travel writers, managing media relations and directing all public relations activities.
Leah Deitz, Sales & Marketing Coordinator
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Leah Deitz is a West Virginia native. She received a BA in English from Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, WV and is currently working on a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing and Mass Communications from West Virginia University. Deitz has experience working as a newspaper reporter and as a freelance public relations and marketing consultant.
In her role as Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Deitz is responsible for promoting the area as a premiere group destination to the motorcoach, meetings and conventions markets. She also assists with day-to-day marketing initiatives and creates packages to increase visitation.
Delilah Dixon, Office Manager
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Delilah Dixon is a Greenbrier County native who came to the CVB after working 10 years in the human resources department of The Greenbrier. While there, she administered the health, vacation, pension and 401(k) plans for approximately 1,700 active employees and the retirement benefit payments for over 700 retirees. Dixon holds an Associates Degree in Office Administration from National Business College in Roanoke, Virginia.
In her role as Office Manager, Dixon facilitates all the Bureau’s accounts receivable and payable as well as payroll and benefits. She is also responsible for managing the Visitors Center staff and the day-to-day functions of the office while supporting Board, management and committee endeavors.
Mary Cole Deitz, Visitor Center Specialist
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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.
