Caps off 40-year career devoted to Kentucky tourism
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 17, 2013) – Marcheta Sparrow will retire May 31 from her post as Secretary of Tourism, Arts and Heritage, Gov. Steve Beshear announced today.
“Secretary Sparrow has done a fantastic job of continuing to improve and develop Kentucky’s tourism through some very challenging times. The recently announced 4.4 percent growth in 2012 tourism economic impact is a direct result of her leadership.” Beshear said. “I want to thank her for her steady leadership and her lifelong contributions to Kentucky’s travel and hospitality industry, which have played an important role in maintaining tourism as a major economic force for Kentucky.”
Sparrow was named secretary in December 2007 by Beshear after serving nine years as president and CEO of the Kentucky Tourism Council (now the Kentucky Travel Industry Association). During her 40-year career, Sparrow also held management positions at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Kentucky Derby Festival and Frankfort Tourism Commission. She began her career as a tour guide at the Kentucky State Capitol.
Among various honors she has earned, in 1996 Sparrow received the tourism industry’s highest honor – the Kentucky Tourism Council Distinguished Service Award.
“It’s been an honor to work with the dedicated employees of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet all across the commonwealth, and I thank Gov. Beshear for giving me this opportunity to place the capstone on a very fulfilling career,” Sparrow said.
The Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet includes the Department of Travel and Tourism, the Department of Parks and the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Other agencies that make up the cabinet include: the Frankfort Convention Center, the Governor’s School for the Arts, the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, the Kentucky Arts Council, the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, the Kentucky Heritage Council, the Kentucky Historical Society, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Kentucky State Fair Board, the Office of Creative Services, the Kentucky Sports Authority and the Kentucky Humanities Council.
Sparrow plans to spend more time with her family, pursue new interests and become more involved in her home community of Harrodsburg.
A new cabinet secretary will be named soon, Beshear said.
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