New Chief Picked for Visitors Bureau

The tourism director for Santa Barbara has been selected executive director of the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau, officials announced Wednesday.

Katherine Janega-Dykes will fill a position left vacant by Bill Clawson, who left Ventura in June to become executive director of the Palm Springs Tourist Bureau.

“We are pleased to have someone of Kathy’s caliber leading the marketing efforts for Ventura tourism. In addition to having an excellent background in the tourism industry, she has the advantage of already knowing our beautiful coastal community,” said John Wong, chairman of the bureau’s board.

For the past 10 years, Janega-Dykes has overseen several projects at the Santa Barbara Conference and Visitors Bureau & Film Commission, including creation of an 80-page destination guide, trade shows and direct-mail campaigns.

She has 16 years of tourism experience since graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. She lives with her husband and son at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard.

“Ventura is developing a new and appealing tourism infrastructure to add to all the attractions already here. I am really looking forward to working with the local hospitality industry to develop programs that promote Ventura in ways that are both efficient and exciting,” she said.

Janega-Dykes starts her job in Ventura on Sept. 3.