FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 11, 2026
Contact:
Katie Kadlub, Visit Hood River, 208-867-0498, katie@visithoodriver.com
VISIT HOOD RIVER BEGINS NATIONWIDE SEARCH FOR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO TAKE THE REINS FROM OUTGOING CEO KATIE KADLUB
(HOOD RIVER, Ore.) – Visit Hood River has formally launched a nationwide search for a new executive director, following the June 26 announcement that CEO Katie Kadlub would be stepping down from tourism’s top post in Hood River County after more than five years in the role. The position includes executive director roles at both Visit Hood River and the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce.
The ideal candidate is a qualified, dynamic, and innovative leader capable of guiding the organization’s destination management, tourism marketing, and community business development programs in Hood River. The executive director serves as the chief executive of Visit Hood River, balancing strategic leadership, operational management, community advocacy, and destination stewardship. The role requires a leader who can work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, public partners, tourism stakeholders, and the broader Hood River business community to strengthen the region’s visitor economy and quality of place.
A complete job description, including essential duties and responsibilities, qualifications, key characteristics, top qualities, compensation, benefits, and timeline, can be found HERE. Qualified candidates are asked to submit a detailed cover letter, resume, and three professional references to ahughson@intrepidcomms.com.
About the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hood River:
Located at the crossroads of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the magnificent Cascade Range and just an hour from Portland, Hood River offers outdoor recreation, dramatic vistas, historic landmarks, bountiful fruit, and fantastic food, wine, beer, and cider. With accommodations ranging from luxury hotels to historic B&Bs, Hood River is a four-season destination for families, outdoor enthusiasts, weddings, corporate events, and more. It was named a Best Adventure and Explorations Town by the 2023 Sunset Travel Awards and Nature Lovers Destination in the 2022 Sunset Travel Awards, a Top 10 Wine Destination for 2017 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, and 2015 Best Adventure Town in the West by Sunset magazine. Visit Hood River supports economic development, community development, and destination marketing for Hood River, Cascade Locks, Mosier, Odell, Parkdale, Pine Grove, and Mount Hood. For more information, call 800-366-3530 or visit www.visithoodriver.com.
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