Bill Seratt is retiring June 30 as executive director of Visit Vicksburg.

“I feel like it’s time, and I want to do some traveling,” he said, “And there are some special projects I want to work on. There is a great team here, and I know I’m leaving it in the best possible hands, whatever decision they (the VCVB Board of Directors) make about an executive director.

“I feel very good about the operations of this office and I feel good about leaving it in the program of work as it stands.

“I have been so totally engaged in marketing this little river city, that I am going to miss doing it professionally every day, although I’ll continue doing it every day of my life,” he said, adding he will stay in Vicksburg.

Seratt has served for more than 12 years as director of the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. He took over the position in April 2007 after serving as the executive director of the Greenville/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

He has served on or chaired many boards including the Mississippi Tourism Association, Mississippi Delta Tourism Association, Southeast Tourism Society, Great River Road Parkway Commission, Mississippi Blues Commission and Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission. His tenure at the bureau has seen a 30 percent increase in hospitality sales tax revenue.

“He’ll be hard to replace,” said Willie Glasper, a past chairman of the VCVB Board. “Bill has been productive for the city, and he has great productive associates that he has been able to bring a lot of success for the board and for the city.”

The VCVB Board of Directors has placed job postings on statewide and nationwide tourism industry sites announcing their search for Seratt’s replacement, and a selection committee composed of board members and community leaders has been put in place to review candidates.

Applicants must have at least seven years experience in the tourism industry and a degree in hospitality or a communications-related field.  Complete job description can be found at www.visitvicksburg.com/careers.

Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2019 to: Visit Vicksburg Attn: Selection Committee, 1619 Walnut St., Vicksburg, MS 39180.