News
June 13, 2018New President Takes Helm of Discover Albany
Jill Delaney joined the Discover Albany team May 30 as the new President and CEO. Delaney says her priorities will be attracting new groups to Albany’s new Capital Complex, and growing Albany’s profile as a leisure travel destination.
“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve as President/CEO of Discover Albany,” said Delaney. “I have had many occasions to work with members of the team here and I know just how vibrant and impactful this organization is. The staff, the board of directors, and business community have already been so welcoming – I am eager to continue their long-standing tradition of excellence in Albany County and the Capital Region as a whole.”
Delaney is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in business and nonprofit management, including tourism promotion, marketing, communication, and event planning. Delaney was hired through SearchWide Executive Search Firm, as part of a nation-wide leadership search.
“Our excitement about Jill Delaney’s ability to steer and operate the organization is strengthened by her experience, industry knowledge, and leadership wisdom,” says Michael Gulotty, Board Chair, Discover Albany. “We all saw Jill’s success being energized by her visible and contagious passion for our region, for tourism, and for how critically important tourism is to every single person in the community we serve.”
Delaney previously served as the President and CEO of the New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA). NYSTIA is a statewide 501c6 organization with more than 200 members, organized to support travel and tourism related businesses. Delaney was hired when two organizations merged in 2014 – the Tourism Promotion Agencies Council and the New York State Travel and Vacation Association – to create NYSTIA.
Delaney has worked closely with Discover Albany as part of the Tourism Industry Coalition, and NYSTIA cooperative marketing programs. She is also a board member of the Empire State Society of Association Executives (ESSAE). Prior to heading up NYSTIA, she was the interim Chief Operating Officer for CMOST – the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology and School Director for Empire Education Corporation.
