Local News
New tourism director steps in
Watson brings 35 years of experience
By Monica Green
features@trcle.com
Blank walls greeted the new Cleburne Chamber of Commerce tourism director Monday at his first day on the job.
The walls will not remain blank for long, Carl Watson said. His photographer wife of 22 years, Linda, will soon hang black and white Texas photographs, he said.
Watson comes to the Cleburne chamber from South Florida, where he served as executive director of the Hallandale Beach Chamber of Commerce.
“My background has been quite a bit in the hospitality industry for the past 35 years,” Watson said.
In his 35 years of experience, Watson has worked in different parts of the tourism industry, such as hotels and chambers of commerce. He has worked for chambers the last 11 years.
“My brother and I even had a scuba diving resort in the Bahamas,” he said.
The decision to move here was made easily, he said. Cleburne is closer to family, he said.
“This has actually worked out kind of well,” Watson said. “My wife grew up in El Paso and loves this part of the state. It is a growing area, economically sound and centrally located, so it’s ideal for what we’re trying to do.”
The couple has three children and four grandchildren.
“I am excited about the opportunity to come work with the hospitality industry in this area,” he said. “My job is to put heads in the beds. I’m excited to work with the progressive chamber here and increase visibility of the city.”
The staff at the chamber is excited about Watson’s arrival.
“I think Carl is going to be a great asset to our community,” said chamber President Cathy Marchel. “He has a wealth of knowledge in the tourism and chamber industry that will bring some fresh ideas for enhancing tourism in Cleburne.”
Chairman of the board Brad Evans said the board is excited to have Watson join the staff.
“Carl brings many years experience in the tourism-related field and will hit the ground running when he gets here,” Evans said before Watson’s arrival. “One of the most common remarks made about Carl when we called his references was that he is an idea person.
“That’s just what we have been looking for as we went through the interview process.”
Watson replaces the chamber’s first tourism director, Sarah O’Brien, who returned to Nacogdoches in September after a 13 month stay in Cleburne.
- Local News
-
-
East meets West
The opportunity to teach can occur anytime and anywhere — just ask Jason denHartog.
-
Wave the flag for 30 years of theater
The Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players bring the curtain down on their 30th season with a foot-stomping, flag-waving musical, “1776.”
-
Community members discuss athletic program with AD
Cleburne athletic director Phil Young and a group of concerned community members jousted sociably on the issue of strength training vs. skills training Wednesday night at the Cleburne ISD administration building.
-
Cleburne man killed in wreck near Bono
Two wrecks occurred Wednesday on U.S. 67 near County Road 1120 near Bono, one of which resulted in the death a Cleburne man.
-
Mayoral candidates draw for ballot placement
-
March 8 declared Zonta Rose Day
-
Meals-on-Wheels recognized by city council
-
Chamber recognizes individuals, organization
The Cleburne Chamber of Commerce presented several awards at it's 91st annual banquet on Thursday night.
-
Powell commends woman’s heroic actions
The actions of a Maypearl woman on Christmas Day may well have saved the life of an 11-year-old Cleburne boy.
-
Who are the historical females from Johnson County?
This month is the 30th anniversary of the National Women’s History Project, the portion of National Women’s History Month that recognizes the individual contributions of women.
- More Local News Headlines
-
