Casey Leaving Marblehead Chamber to Direct Regional Tourism Bureau

Ann Marie Casey is moving on from Marblehead and all the way up to Salisbury to oversee marketing efforts in all 34 cities and towns in Essex County.

Casey, who has spent nearly six years as the executive director of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce, is taking a position as executive director of the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Her new job starts in March, although in a way, it's a return home. Casey was the executive director of Beverly Main Streets before coming to Marblehead in 2007, but prior to that she worked as a membership manager for the NBCVB.

The NBCVB is a private, nonprofit entity whose main task is for Essex County to grow as a travel destination. The membership-based organization was actually established by the legislature in 1955 and is one of 16 regional tourism councils in the Bay State.

The NBCVB is the official liaison between the North of Boston region (more than 300 businesses are members) and the state Office of Travel and Tourism. Over the years, the organization has changed names and headquarters and is now based out of the Maria Miles Visitors Center off I-95 South in Salisbury.

Casey, a Wilmington native and Salem resident, said in an announcement she’ll always carry a piece of Marblehead with her.

“I am so grateful I had the chance to work in Marblehead. I loved the camaraderie, the natural beauty, and the fierce sense of community pride in this place,” she said. “I will miss everyone, but I‘ll continue to look after Marblehead’s interests in my new job.”

Casey also worked as an administrative services manager at the Department of Economic Development’s Office of Travel & Tourism and as a legislative aide to Wilmington state Rep. James Miceli and Worcester state Sen. Robert Bernstein.

“Ann Marie’s tenure was characterized by growth and improved programming for our business members,” said Marblehead Chamber Board President Cindy Latham. “She shepherded the Chamber through very challenging economic times and made this organization a stronger and more vital presence in our community. She has done a great job. We will miss her.”

The Chamber's board of directors is now actively seeking interested candidates to fill Casey's shoes and walk forward in them.

Latham said the board is looking for candidates who have the “skills and passion to represent the Marblehead business community and market Marblehead as a premier visitor destination.”

“We are a tight-knit community that enjoys bringing people together for festivals and events that stimulate our local economy and improve the quality of life both here in Marblehead and beyond. It is very important to the Chamber and to the town that the new executive director follows in Ann Marie’s footsteps by continuing this work,” said Robert Simonelli, a past board president.

Interested candidates to take the helm at the Chamber can find more information at www.marbleheadchamber.org.