May 21--PASCAGOULA -- The Jackson County Board of Supervisors named three nominees to the Tri-County Tourism Board of Supervisors for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau at its meeting Monday.

Jackson County's three appointed representatives for the board are Carla Todd, president and CEO of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Richard Chenoweth, owner and general manager of Scranton's Restaurant and Catering, and Rich Westfall, vice president for business development and marketing at Charter Bank.

"We wanted a variety of people in different industries," District 5 Supervisor John McKay said.

Board President Mike Mangum said about 20 candidates applied for the three slots.

Mangum said the remaining candidates not selected for the tourism board may have the opportunity to participate in Jackson County tourism as committee members.

Mangum plans to have the board appointees and committee in place by July 1.

Mangum said he's excited for the chance to promote the abundance of eco-tourism as a unique aspect of Jackson County.

"I think the new tourism board and tri-county efforts will pool all the resources of all the counties in making South Mississippi one destination," Mangum said. "We're looking for great things to happen."

Gov. Phil Bryant signed a bill last month to create the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau to replace the Harrison County Tourism Commission.

The new tourism group consolidates the three coastal counties of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson under one entity to promote tourism for the region as a whole.

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