Last week, Governor Tony Evers announced three new appointments to the Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Tourism.

One of those appointments went to New Glarus Brewing Company Founder/President, Deb Carey. In the Governor’s release it was pointed out that Carey has long been recognized for her entrepreneurial spirit, combining business management, marketing expertise and brewing professionalism to develop a world-class operation. She was recognized by President Barack Obama as a Champion of Change for her extraordinary contributions in her community and beyond.

Carey said that she was excited to be able to help promote Wisconsin and all of its assets, including natural resources, agricultural highlights, picturesque downtowns as well the wide variety of local food.

The new appointments will join three other council members appointed earlier this year. The council advises the Secretary of the Department of Tourism on matters relating to marketing promotion and serves as a sounding board to the agency as it enacts its strategic plan to advance tourism.

“The vision and leadership of the Council on Tourism plays a very important role in Wisconsin’s economic recovery,” said Secretary-designee Sara Meaney. “The tourism industry is one of Wisconsin’s leading economic drivers. Wisconsin taxpayers and the more than 202,000 individuals who rely on tourism for their livelihood depend on the council to provide diverse perspectives and informed advice to ensure the prosperity of Wisconsin’s tourism industry.”

The other two appointments to the Governor’s Council on Tourism include:

Missy Tracy, the Municipal Relations Coordinator at Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison and a tribal member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. Missy has served on the board for the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling since 2009 in addition to serving on five local boards in the Madison community. She also previously served as the Senior Public Relations Manager for Ho-Chunk Gaming in the Wisconsin Dells.

Luke Zahm, the host of “Wisconsin Foodie,” which airs on Wisconsin Public Television. He is also the owner and head chef of Driftless Cafe, which he has operated with his wife in Viroqua since 2013, drawing diners from near and far to enjoy the ever-changing menu featuring ingredients from the local farming community. He is a two-time winner of the Edible Madison Local Hero Award and was named a 2017 James Beard Best Chef Midwest semifinalist.

These three appointees join three other new council members appointed to the council in March:

Genyne Edwards JD served as the Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism from 2003-2007.

Nathan Gordon is the Vice Chairman of the Red Cliff Tribe of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Tribe/Nation.

Robert Davis DVM is the President and CEO of America’s Black Holocaust Museum in Milwaukee and serves as a board member at the Association of African American Museums.

The Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Tourism aims to represent varied geography and wide-ranging expertise that includes, but is not limited to, recreation and attraction business owners, hospitality and service industry business owners, convention and visitor bureaus, economic development specialists, industry thought leaders, legislators, and leaders of arts, historic and cultural destinations.