Katie Steele Danner takes over as tourism chief
Danner
JEFFERSON CITY — A shakeup at the Missouri Tourism Commission has put an ally of Gov. Jay Nixon in charge and left Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder on the outs.
The commission voted today to hire Katie Steele Danner as the new director, replacing acting Director Bob Smith.
The commission also elected a new chairperson, replacing Kinder, the top state Republican officeholder, with Marci Bennett, a Democrat from St. Joseph.
Danner is a former Democratic state representative who has worn various hats since leaving the Legislature in 1994. She worked for the Clinton administration as a regional health official.
Recently, she was acting director of the Department of Economic Development when Nixon ousted Linda Martinez. Danner is married to Steve Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard.
Today’s vote putting Katie Danner in charge of tourism was unanimous except for one absention — from Kinder.
“I don’t want to discuss it,” Kinder said later in a phone interview. “It’s a personnel matter.”
Kinder did say that after Danner was chosen, he moved that she be paid $75,000 a year, and that motion passed unanimously. Kinder said former Tourism Director Blaine Luetkemeyer, who is now a Republican congressman, had been paid $72,000 when he held the state job.
Commissioner Maynard Wallace, a Republican legislator from southwest Missouri, said he supported Danner’s appointment.
Wallace said that when Danner lived in the Branson area, she had successfully raised money for a hospital foundation and operated motels in several states. Her public relations clients also included Branson theatres.
“In her presentation to the commission, she said she was a salesperson,” Wallace said. “She’s a dynamic, energetic person. She just has a strong background in tourism.”
The move had been talked about in political circles for several months.
Danner’s first task will be keeping the agency afloat amid what are expected to be deep budget cuts. Alternatives under discussion would slash the agency’s $20.6 million budget to $16.6 million, $13.6 million or as low as $11.6 million.
Get pulled over TWICE for drunk driving, refuse to take a breathalyzer test, and Jay Nixon promotes you! TRULY AMAZING! http://tinyurl.com/ycozec3
What happens to Bob Smith? He has done a good job, previously as a member of the tourism commission while serving as a newspaper publisher, and later as deputy director and acting director. Smith is a good man and the state finds a place for him in the new organization. Or is considered the “wrong” political party?
John C. Compost = the little-read and reader comment-free Missouri Political News Service, carrying water for the Missouri GOP and mudslinger Jeff Roe, who hates anything to do with the Danners. Just wanted to clarify, if anyone gives a rat’s behind.
I understand your annoyance, Saint Jo, but don’t sweat it. Let MOPNS continue to instigate Combest, obsess over Cardetti, and stalk Danner - at the end of the day, the most he can hope for is a handful of click-throughs to his pathetic rants and a few table scraps from the slimiest consultants in Missouri.
The appointment of Katie Danner, as well as the election of Marci Bennett as the new Chair of the Tourism Commission bodes well for our important tourism industry in Missouri.
Many people are unaware of the importance of the Tourism Industry to Missouri’s economy, The money provided in the state budget to promote Missouri as a destination of choice for leisure travelers is returned in multiples in the form of new tax revenues and jobs for tens of thousands of our fellow citizens. For many years, the Tourism Industry has ranked in or near the top 3 revenue and job generators in the state. With the demise of the auto industry in Missouri, it may now be our biggest economic engine.
As a former Chair of the Commission, I can tell you from first hand experience that a Director who understands both the challenges of the industry, and the mechanics of state government is a rare gem. I have known Katie for more than 20 years, long before she was elected to the State Legislature, and know that she is bright, capable and a natural leader. She also has the added benefit of having the ear and confidence of the Governor, which should help in protecting the critical mission of the Division of Tourism from predatory budget cutting by its parent agency.
Adding to that is the brilliant choice of the Commission in electing Marci Bennet as their new Chair. Marcy is an industry pro - someone who understands how to promote, and has years of hands on experience as a leader in Missouri’s Toursim industry.
Finally, Deputy Director Bob Smith rounds out the lineup. He is a great guy, a terrific advocate for the Industry, and a strong leader within the Division. He did an outstanding job on several occassions when called upon to be the interim director, and I am confident that the Commission recognizes the value and wisdom he has brought to the industry through the administrations of 4 governors - of different political parties.
All in all, I would say that Missouri once again has produced a tourism A Team!
Lou Hamilton
Tourism Commissioner 1996-2004
Chair, 2000-2004
John C. Compost, you’re a libelous bomb thrower. I worked for her and Steve Danner in KC. Katie doesn’t live in St. Louis, would never have any reason to be at McGurk’s, and you can’t prove it since you don’t have pictures or provide a date when this happened. I hope Missouri Political News Service has their libel liability insurance policy paid up-to-date.
Louis Hamilton is correct that tourism is vital to the economic stability of Missouri. The ability to show off the best of our state to people from all over the world can be a huge boost to economic development. You never know what companies will decide to open up shop due to a visit and how many people will return after experiencing a great first time visit. One such event that provides all of this is the Tour of Missouri bike race. This year’s race was watched in person by over a half million people (watched by many more throughout the world on television) and brought in over $38 million to the state. Not bad for an event that was in danger of being cancelled due to cuts in the Department of Tourism by Governor Jay Nixon. A move many believe was politically motivated by Nixon as a way to get at his possible future opponent for Governor, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder. Let’s hope that Katie Steele realizes the benefits the Tour of Missouri provides to all Missourians and can put aside personal politics and friendships and do what is best for the state of Missouri and keep this great event rolling.
Scott, I too know and like Katie and Steve but there’s no point in suing someone with no assets, or else Combest and Don Calloway (to name just two of many) would have done it to MOPNS a long time ago. Maybe if someone had, it would have kept the attempted smear job against Katie from happening in the first place.
I hope that the win of Marci Bennett as the new chairperson of the tourism bodies as well as the appointment of Katie Danner will improve the scenario of the tourism industry in Missouri.Its time that people should know the importance of tourism. As the record itself speaks that it has generated highest vacancies. The revenue collected from tourism industry can further strengthen the Missouri economy.