BRISTOL, TN (WJHL) –
Bristol Motor Speedway’s vice president of public affairs, Kevin Triplett, is joining governor Bill Haslam’s cabinet as commissioner of the Department of Tourist Development.
Triplett, 49, has been with BMS since 2005. He’s worked in various roles for NASCAR including managing director of business operations, guiding the operations and administration of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Camping World Truck Series. Triplett has twice been named one of NASCAR’s 25 most Influential by The Charlotte Observer.
“The destinations, arts and entertainment, history and beauty from Mountain City to Memphis is incredible. The wealth of knowledge that exists in the tourism industry throughout the state is a gold mine, and it is a privilege to work with those folks. I am honored Governor Haslam has given me this opportunity and thank Commissioner Whitaker for the path she has paved the last 12 years. I look forward to getting to work,” Triplett said.
He replaces Susan Whitaker who announced her departure in December. His first day on the job will be April 23.
“Kevin brings a lot of energy and passion to the industry with decades of experience pulling together different stakeholders and constituencies,” Haslam said.
Triplett is a graduate of East Tennessee State University and has served on the boards of a number of community organizations in Bristol.
He lives in Bristol with his wife, Jill, and their two children, Lucas and Sarah Grace.
“The new Tennessee Commissioner of Tourist Development, Kevin Triplett, has deep roots in Eastern Tennessee and with Bristol Motor Speedway,” said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager for Bristol Motor Speedway. “For the past decade, his leadership, knowledge and historical perspective of our Speedway and Dragway, have been integral parts of our success. That said, we’re thankful to have a person of Kevin’s caliber leading this critical position on the state level. We understand that having the best team in sports at Bristol means we’ll periodically lose some to other opportunities. We wish Kevin the best of luck in his new career and look forward to working with him to cultivate additional visitors to the state of Tennessee.”
Governor Bill Haslam also named Sande Weiss, president of Music Road Resort in Pigeon Forge, co-chair of the Tennessee Tourism Committee. Weiss fills the role previously held by Dolly Parton Productions President Ted Miller.
The tourism committee, established by Haslam in 2011, is chaired by Colin Reed, CEO of Ryman Hospitality Properties (formerly Gaylord Entertainment Company), and co-chaired by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. CEO Jack Soden.
Tourism is one of Tennessee’s largest industries with a $16.7 billion direct economic impact in 2013 – a 3.4% increase over 2012. State and local tax collections reached a new high of $1.28 billion for tourism related businesses in 2013, which is the eighth consecutive year above $1 billion.
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