Tourist bureau chief retiring, interim named
Mark Lewis
Autumn Henthorn
Mark Lewis
Autumn Henthorn
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PARKERSBURG – Leadership at the Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau is changing.
Mark Lewis, president and CEO of the tourism bureau for the past 14 years, is retiring on Nov. 1. Autumn Henthorn, who has been with the bureau for nine years, will become interim president.
"I'm looking forward to it," Lewis said.
Lewis joined the bureau as president and CEO in February 2012. A graduate of Parkersburg High School and West Virginia University with a bachelor's in political science, Lewis has served in numerous tourism agencies including the New River Gorge Convention and Visitors Bureau and with the Chamber of Commerce in Fayette County, the Plateau Action Network and the River Clean Water Alliance.
It was an "incredible blessing" to return to his hometown, Lewis said.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the leader of the CVB for these past 14 years. I love my job, my hometown and the people I work with," he said.
The highlight of his career at the bureau was the acquisition and renovation of the building that has become the Welcome Center, Lewis said. The 113 Ann St. facility at the main gate at the floodwall that leads to Point Park has had 1,000 more visitors this year compared to the same period in 2025.
"It has been a huge win for our tourism visitors and the community as a whole," he said.
"I have been blessed to work with a great team of staff and volunteers and a strong and supportive board of directors," Lewis said. "We now have a location that allows us to do our job in the most effective way possible, and I am confident that there is a bright future for tourism in our area."
The Convention and Visitors Bureau under Lewis expanded marketing efforts and promotion of attractions and events in the Mid-Ohio Valley and led efforts for regional and statewide tourism partnerships, destination marketing campaigns and projects aimed at increasing visitation and the economic impact of tourism in Wood County and the region, the bureau said.
"It has been a privilege to work alongside Mark and learn from him," Henthorn said. "We have seen this organization through a tremendous amount of change together. Mark has been a mentor, a colleague and, most importantly, a great friend. I am incredibly grateful for the trust he has placed in me over the years and for everything he has done for our organization and our community."
Lewis said he will remain at the bureau until Oct. 31 for the transition.
Henthorn will become interim president when Lewis retires on Nov. 1. She is going into nine years at the bureau and has taken on greater responsibility.
The move forward will be growing visitation, strengthening partnerships with local tourism businesses and attractions, expanding outdoor recreation opportunities, and finding new ways of marketing to travelers, Henthorn said.
"Tourism is an important part of our local economy, but it is also about creating a community that people are excited to visit, experience and talk about," she said. "I am excited about what comes next for the Greater Parkersburg CVB and look forward to continuing the work Mark and I have done together for so many years."
Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.