Judy Young has been named the new executive director of Coastal Mississippi, which promotes the three Coast counties as tourist destinations. Young replaces Milton Segarra, who resigned due to disagreements with the Coastal Mississippi board and Harrison County supervisors.
Young brings 20 years of experience in tourism development, marketing and administration to her new position, where she will be responsible for growth in Coastal Mississippi’s leisure, convention, sports and business segments. A native of New Braunfels, Texas, Young most recently served as vice president of that city’s convention and visitors bureau.
She said she sees many similarities between New Braunfels and South Mississippi; both have children’s museums, a craft beer scene and downtown areas. The difference, she said, will be working to bring visitors to three counties and 12 cities instead of one, and also working in partnership with the operators of the Coast’s 12 casinos. “It will be amazing to learn about all the different areas,” she said.
Young also offers extensive convention experience, noting she has that “from the ground up” as part of a 12-year campaign to greatly expand convention business in the New Braunfels area, located in the Texas Hill Country between Austin and San Antonio. She also brings experience dealing with the challenges of Covid-19.
Brooke Shoultz, president of the Coastal Mississippi board, said this is a “pivotal time for the tourism industry” and Young’s experience will be invaluable to South Mississippi’s continued growth and prosperity. Young commented, “I am very excited for the opportunity to work with the Coastal Mississippi board of commissioners and lead the incredibly talented team in promoting the Secret Coast, which is an extraordinary destination that has so much to offer. I look forward to building on the momentum that Coastal Mississippi has seen thus far by growing and developing the region as a competitive, must-visit destination for leisure and meetings and conventions that continues to prove its leadership in the tourism industry.”
