Kara Dense, President and CEO
Kara Dilley Dense is President and CEO of Experience Greenbrier Valley. With 29 years of experience in the travel industry, Kara has enjoyed success in several facets of the tourism industry. She began her tenure at the organization in February 2007.
Kara is a 1995 honor graduate of Concord University with a Bachelor of Science in Travel Industry Management with a concentration in Tourism Planning, Development, and Promotion. Before returning to West Virginia, Kara was Director of Sales for the City of Gatlinburg’s Department of Tourism and Convention Center.
Kara holds several leadership positions in the tourism industry, including being a West Virginia Tourism Advisory Council member, where she’s served since being appointed in 2016. She also serves as Vice President of the West Virginia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. She represents all West Virginia CVBs on the West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association board. She was awarded the WV Department of Tourism’s Travel Professional of the Year in October 2017 and most recently, the 2024 Business Person of the Year for the Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce .
In addition to her professional contributions, she is involved in her community and has served on the boards of Lewisburg Rotary and Greenbrier Valley Theatre. She is the President of Greenbrier East High School Choir boosters and sings first soprano with the Greenbrier Valley Chorale.
Kara makes her home in Lewisburg with her husband, Brian, and her 18-year-old daughter, Lily.
Brian Belcher, Director of Destination Development
Brian Belcher is a retired airport director who has worked in aviation for over 43 years. He was born and raised in Lincoln County, West Virginia and graduated from Duval High School. He has lived throughout the Southeast, in West Virginia, Alabama and Kentucky, before returning to his home state in 2019.
He’s held various positions throughout his career, including Yeager Airport-Charleston, the Mobile Airport Authority, Cincinnati/Northern KY International Airport and the Greenbrier Valley Airport. He was the Director of Marketing, Communications, Governmental Affairs & Air Service Development for thirty years. He was a Certified Member of the American Association of Airport Executives (C.M.) and was recognized as an industry leader in crisis communications.
In addition to his aviation career, he’s been involved in various organizations. He served on the Board of Southeast Tourism Society (STS) from 2003-2006 and 2007-2009, as well as State Vice-Chair for STS. In 2012, he was elected to the (ACI) Airports Council International Marketing & Communications Committee. He also served on the Board of Visit Mobile CVB, Greenbrier County CVB and the ACI Air Service Steering Committee. He currently sits on the West Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association Board.
Brian and his wife, Leigh Ann, live in Lewisburg (near the airport) and have three daughters and five grandchildren. In his free time, he loves playing golf, fishing, spending time with family, and entertaining their dog Sally the Goldendoodle. With a passion for travel and tourism, he joined Experience Greenbrier Valley in 2023.
Beth Gill, Director of Marketing
Beth has worked in the travel and tourism industry for more than 22 years and thrives on being a part of the Greenbrier Valley’s success. At Experience Greenbrier Valley, she is responsible for the overall strategic marketing plan, including all content planning, direct advertising, print collateral (including the annual Visitors Guide), the organization's website, email marketing and direct inquiries.
She works closely with local businesses to understand the strengths and assets they have to offer while leveraging them to the fullest. If you ask her, it’s the most rewarding part of her job–connecting with owners while seeing how the organization can amplify their brands and ultimately attract visitors to the Greenbrier Valley.
She graduated from Old Dominion University with a BA in Graphic Design. She is a Certified Southeast Tourism Society Travel Marketing Professional and serves as board secretary for the Meadow River Valley Association.
Valerie Pritt, Director of Public Relations
Valerie Pritt is a very passionate West Virginian. She takes great pride in her community and home state. As Director of Public Relations for Experience Greenbrier Valley, she shares the story of the best region of the state through social media and with journalists from across the country.
She graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in journalism—public relations. In 2022, She earned her Tourism Marketing Professional certificate through the Southeast Tourism Society’s Marketing College Program.
Valerie has spent her career in public relations and hospitality. She also worked at Greenbrier Valley Theatre as the publicity director and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine as a public relations specialist. She serves as a council member and vice chair of the Planning Commission for the City of Lewisburg, a board member for the Court House Farmers Market and a Mon Forest Town Partnership marketing committee member.
Delilah Dixon, Director of Operations
Delilah Dixon is a Greenbrier County native who came to Experience Greenbrier Valley in 2006 after working 10 years in the human resources department of The Greenbrier. As Director of Operations, Delilah facilitates all the DMO's accounts receivable and payable, as well as payroll and benefits. She is responsible for managing the day-to-day functions of the office and visitors center building while supporting Board, management and committee endeavors. Delilah holds an associate's Degree in Office Administration from National Business College in Roanoke, VA. She makes her home in the Harts Run area with her husband, Ben, and their beloved dogs, Sonny Boy and Hazel.
Mary Cole Deitz, Visitors Center Manager
Mary Cole Deitz joined the staff in May 2006 and recently celebrated her eighteenth year as Visitors Center Manager. She had previously worked at The Greenbrier for twenty-nine years in retail and concierge services. As Visitors Center Manager, she oversees the daily operations of the center, brochure distribution, rental requests, events, and supervises five part-time Visitors Center Specialists. She is most proud of developing the “Art in the Valley” program, which features monthly shows in the center displaying a myriad of local art.
Mary Cole is a Greenbrier County native and a loyal graduate of West Virginia University. She and her husband have two children and six grandchildren, whom they love to spoil!
