Ruthie Reinert, executive director of the Tacoma Regional Convention & Visitor Bureau (TRCVB), has resigned effective today to accept the position of CEO and president of the Convention & Visitor Bureau of Washington County, Ore., beginning Sept. 4. Washington County includes the growing communities of Beaverton, Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood and Wilsonville.

Reinert joined the TRCVB in March 1997 as sales director and was appointed to executive director in December 1999. She led the bureau’s efforts to attract conventions, meetings, trade shows, group tours and individual business and leisure travelers to Pierce County.

“Ruthie has done a truly outstanding job for the TRCVB,” said Mike Gommi, chair of the TRCVB’s executive board and general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Tacoma Hotel. “Her leadership abilities and commitment to increasing tourism to Pierce County have been stellar. She will be very hard to replace – and sorely missed.”

Gommi said Jennifer Johnson, TRCVB finance manager, will serve as interim director while a search is conducted for Reinert’s replacement. Reinert has 27 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industries in both Washington and Oregon, beginning her career in the Portland area. She was awarded the Marlene Jones Award in 2005 for “25 years of exemplary service to the Washington State Travel Industry.”

Reinert served two consecutive terms (2004-2006) as president of the Washington Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus, a statewide affiliation of destination marketing organizations. She served on the Tourism Advisory Board of Highline Community College from 1999 to 2007.

Reinert is a member of the Destination Marketing International Association, Travel Industry Association and National Tour Association, from which she earned the Certified Tour Professional designation.