High Country Host welcomes new marketing director

North Carolina High Country Host has announced that Candice Cook has become the organization’s marketing director.

The selection of Cook is part of High Country Host’s mission to renew its focus on marketing the northwest mountains of North Carolina as a premier vacation destination.

Cook is a native of the historic Valle Crucis community in Watauga County, and graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in communication. Most recently, she was the marketing and business development director for IPC The Hospitalist Company of Johnson City, Tenn.

Previously, she was marketing director for the High Country Health Care System. In 2008, she completed the Boone Chamber of Commerce’s “Watauga County Leadership Challenge.”

“The primary role that Candice will undertake is to position the High Country as a top tourist destination, and to drive business to the organization’s members,” said Kent Tarbutton, president of High Country Host.

Tarbutton also said that Cook’s duties will include directing the operations of the High Country Host Visitor Center in Boone.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to promote this beautiful area of North Carolina,” Cook said. “This region has so much to offer visitors in every season of the year. High Country Host has a long history in tourism promotion; yet it has so much more potential to help people to discover all the things to see and do in our mountain region.”

Millie Barbee, who has been serving as the Host’s executive director for the past two years, welcomed Cook to the organization. “I am delighted to place High Country Host into Candice’s capable hands, and all our members should welcome a new generation of leadership,” Barbee said.

For more information on the High Country Host, visit http://www.mountainsofnc.com or call (800) 438-7500.