Travel Beautiful Appalachia Incorporated (TBAI) is a 501(c)3 economic development not-for-profit corporation serving southern West Virginia. TBAI seeks to increase economic development through entrepreneurial programs and the management of two business support facilities. TBAI seeks to assist small businesses achieve success with an emphasis on tourism related businesses. TBAI currently operates with four part time staff in addition to the executive director and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers with a fiscal year 2009 operating budget over $500,000.

TBAI is seeking an entrepreneurial minded experienced economic developer who thrives on challenges and creative problem solving. This position provides the rare opportunity to make a measurable difference in the lives and communities that TBAI serves in southern West Virginia.

The successful candidate will be a proven leader who is poised and professional, dynamic and energetic with management experience in attracting, retaining and motivating a team that includes both staff and volunteers. The successful candidate will be solutions-oriented, an excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills, and have the enthusiasm necessary to build positive relationships with key constituents within the community. This individual must be able to command attention and respect when speaking in public, and persuasively negotiate in one-on-one situations and in meetings with small groups. He or she must possess the expertise required to make fundraising appeals to individuals, groups and organizations.

Highly qualified applicants will have experience:

• Developing economic development programs

• Developing strategic partnerships

• Setting and achieving challenging goals

• Supervising employees

• Strategic planning

• Grant writing and management

• Managing business development facilities

The Ideal candidate will possess:

• Bachelor's degree in related field required, or equivalent; postgraduate degree preferred

• Five years of leadership experience in entrepreneurial development in the a for-profit or non-profit organization, private/public partnership organization or equivalent (prefer recent leadership and/or executive experience)

• Experience in any or all of the following is a plus: tourism development, economic development, strategic planning, financial management, fundraising, facilities management

TBAI will provide the successful candidate with a competitive salary, benefits package, and performance based incentive bonuses. The biggest reward this position offers is the satisfaction of overcoming challenges to make meaningful sustainable changes in the lives of those we serve.

If you are up for the challenge send your resume with a cover letter to: growruralwv@suddenlink.net

or mail to:

This solicitation will remain open until the position is filled.

TBAI is located in Ashland, McDowell County, West Virginia, heart of the Appalachian coal fields. Travel Beautiful Appalachia, Inc. [TBAI] has the goal of nurturing economically sustainable public/private partnerships that will generate business activities for economic development in southern West Virginia with the emphasis on McDowell and Wyoming counties. The project will focus on tourism that recognizes the unique history, character and culture of the southern WV coal heritage plus the expanding Hatfield-McCoy Trail based tourism economy. The activities of TBAI projects will provide opportunities for local entrepreneurs to develop their business, establish viable markets (local, regional, national) and generate long-term economic sufficiency for themselves, their families and the greater community.

Located 6 miles east of Northfork on Route 17 Northfork/Ashland Road

HC 76 Box 701
Ashland, WV 24868
Phone: 304/862-4800
Fax: 304/862-3364

Winter Hours: Friday & Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

TBAI developed the Ashland Company Store enterprise to provide a market for products made in West Virginia by entrepreneurs, specialty farmers and artisans. The Coal Camp Café operates out of the Store. Together, these enterprises comprise the welcome center for Hatfield-McCoy's Indian Ridge ATV Trail System.