VENTURA : Tourism Bureau Hires ‘Visionary’ Director

After nearly three months without a director, Ventura’s Visitors and Convention Bureau has asked Bill Clawson, director of Pismo Beach’s tourism and business efforts, to head up Ventura’s tourism bureau.

Clawson, who starts his job as executive director Aug. 1, succeeds longtime director Russ Smith, who died in April of a heart condition.

Ventura tourism boosters said they hired Clawson because of his aggressive, productive track record in Pismo Beach. The city reportedly had the healthiest tourism industry in San Luis Obispo County while Clawson ran the Pismo Beach Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“His track record in Pismo is really exceptional,” said Debbie Solomon, marketing director for Ventura’s recreation division. “He’s visionary, really productive and has a good marketing background.”

Clawson, 43, said he sees “tremendous potential” in Ventura’s tourism industry.

“It looks to me like Ventura is a city really ready to make progress,” he said. “There is plenty of room for (tourism) growth.”

While the tourism bureau celebrates its new director, the Greater Ventura Chamber of Commerce board of directors will meet today at 4 p.m. to discuss the resignation last week of Jim Barroca, its longtime director. Barroca said he was asked to leave by chamber executives after 22 years heading the organization.