As reported yesterday, after a nationwide search, VISIT Milwaukee today named Paul Upchurch as its new president and CEO.
The announcement was made by VISIT Milwaukee chairperson Lynda Kohler at this morning's board of directors meeting at the Milwaukee Hilton City Center.
Upchurch, a native of Inkster, Mich., a suburb of Detroit, joins Milwaukee's convention and visitors' bureau after more than 30 years in the hospitality and tourism industry, including five years (2001-05) as vice president of hotel operations with Milwaukee-based Marcus Hotels and Resorts. He most recently held the position of chief operating officer for Chicago-based TCA Holdings, operator of private sports resorts and clubs in the United States and Canada.
"Paul brings to the position a long and successful track record in the hospitality and tourism industry," said Kohler. "Working with staff, our board and industry partners, we're confident that Paul's leadership will help us grow our regional tourism economy and bring it to the next level."
Upchurch said he's excited about the opportunity to return to Milwaukee in his new capacity.
"As a Midwesterner, my five years working in Milwaukee stand out as the most memorable," he said. "It's an honor for me to join this outstanding tourism marketing organization and work to grow our convention, meetings and leisure travel business for the region."
Upchurch holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. He and his wife Cindy have two children, Stephanie, 21 and Eric, 18.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
