So much to discover: Alicia Reece

Former Vice Mayor Alicia Reece, 35, of Bond Hill was appointed Ohio's assistant director for Travel and Tourism today by Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher.

The Travel and Tourism division is part of the Ohio Department of Development. Reece will begin her new job, which pays $75,000-a-year, on May 15.

“For nearly a decade, Alicia has been a central figure in developing a stronger tourism industry in Cincinnati,” said Fisher, who also serves as director for the Ohio Department of Development. “Her leadership, enthusiasm and expertise will undoubtedly enhance the state’s efforts to promote tourism and Ohio’s outstanding quality of life.”

Reece is senior vice president for the marketing and consulting firm, Communiplex Promotional Services.

She was elected to Cincinnati City Council in 1999. She served as vice mayor from 2002-2006.

As vice mayor, Reece is credited with various tourism and marketing efforts for the city, including: creation of the “Cincinnati On the Move” tourism campaign; securing top national conventions including the NAACP National Convention and National Baptist Convention; and chairing City Council’s Tourism and Small Business Committee, which oversaw the $135 million expansion of the Duke Energy Convention Center.

Reece received her bachelor's degree in communications from Grambling State University.

An estimated $30.7 billion was spent in Ohio last year on tourism-related activities. The industry employs more than 560,000 Ohioans.