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OTTUWMA, IOWA -- A new director has been named for the Ottumwa Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Mark Eckman will fill the position effective June 1.

Eckman has served 17 years with the Iowa Tourism Office. Before that served as the first executive director of the Villages Of Van Buren.

The Iowa Travel Council recognized Van Buren as the 1989 “Tourism County of the Year” during his tenure.

Current director Kathy Speas has been pulling double duty filing the position while serving as Director of Marketing. She says one of the duties includes making sure the hotels are filled every night with visitors.  

“He’s got fresh ideas of how we can market ourselves and promote things that maybe we didn’t see as assets before but other people would see them as unusual and fun things to do,” Speas said. “We’re really looking forward to him just brining a new eye to the community and shining and doing what he does best with tourism.”

Speas adds his experience and a fresh mind could help this area grow a lot.

“For us, it’s a chance to expand and get new perspective, an outside look at what we do and we really believe that Mr. Eckman is going to help showcase everything that Bridge View Center can do and really bring us to the next level,” Speas said.

Speas will remain with the Bridge View Center as the Director of Marketing. She said she has pulled many 80 hour work weeks  filling both positions.