DAVIS – Tucker County residents will say goodbye to a long-time director of the Tucker County CVB. Bill Smith, who has led the CVB since the late 1990’s has announced he will be retiring. His last day on the job is Thursday.
Smith said he came to Tucker County by way of his higher education, and chose the area because of the winter sports opportunities.
“I grew up in Wilmington, Del. and attended Davis & Elkins College,” Smith said. “I started teaching skiing at Canaan, which was brand new at the time, while I was in school. When I finished college, I never went home.”
Smith said after college, he taught skiing and worked at Canaan Valley Resort. He termed his first few years after college as ‘the life of Riley.’
“I started working for the Tucker County CVB in May, 1997,” Smith said. He said his previous experience in the Canaan Valley tourism industry was broad and extensive.
“I worked in real estate sales and development, resort operations, conference sales and service,” Smith said. “I love the Canaan Valley area and I always will. My job with the CVB was just a good fit.”
While at the CVB, Smith said the CVB helped tourism with their marketing efforts.
“We helped support the industry that was in place and allowed some industry to grow,” he said. “Through grants and the gradual growth of the industry through hotel/motel tax, this bureau has gone from a $75,000 bureau up to a $500,000 bureau.”
Smith said his favorite part of Tucker County is the strong sense of community.
“You don’t find that elsewhere,” Smith said. “It’s a quality of life that is rare these days. If there is a weather event, everyone calls each other to see if they need help. It is a strong sense of community.”
Smith said he also loves the local mountains.
“I learned how to ski in Vermont when I was six,” Smith said. “I think that was ingrained with me. This was a good fit and it helped me gravitate to a mountain environment.”
Smith said he and his wife own two homes in Canaan Valley, and they will visit often.
“I will always call Tucker County home – when I refer to going home, it will be here.”
Retiring now was just the right time for Smith. “There are other avenues – there are other horizons we want to explore. I think, while my health is still good and while I am still flexible, I would like to play some golf. I want to do some things before the health problems settle in, as they do with everybody.”
Smith said he also loves summertime in Tucker County.
“Summers here are outrageous – wonderful, cool summers.”
“We have a house in Florida,” Smith said. “My wife is partially retired as a physician and she is looking forward to going south and getting out of the cold weather.”
Smith said he feels he is leaving the Tucker County CVB in good hands with Jessica Scowcroft.
“We also have a great board of directors from all different aspects and all different parts of the area,” Smith said. “They get it – they each understand. I also think the future is bright.”
