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Meet TSO

About Travel Southern Oregon

Travel Southern Oregon (TSO) is one of the oldest Regional Destination Management Organizations in the state, having formed in 1983 to cooperatively market Southern Oregon as the Southern Oregon Visitors Association (SOVA). The goals of the organization have expanded significantly to include industry support and the development of destinations and human resources to ensure continued positive economic impact through regional tourism.
Travel Southern Oregon is an independent 501c6 organization directed by a board of 22 tourism industry stakeholders from every county and industry in the region and has a full-time staff of two. TSO also manages the state’s Ashland Welcome Center on I-5 northbound in Ashland as visitors enter Oregon from the south. Our RDMO serves constituents across Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Klamath, and Lake Counties.

Staff Directory

Bob Hackett (He/Him)

Executive Director

bob@southernoregon.org

Bob Hackett came to Travel Southern Oregon in 2017 after working 19 years as the Marketing Manager at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. Bob was honored with Travel Oregon’s Tourism Leadership Award in 2019, and helped create the Oregon Outback Dark Sky Network, which won the 2024 Governor’s Tourism Award. Originally from New Hampshire, Bob lives in Talent, Oregon.

Tammi Mendels (She/Her)

Ashland Welcome Center Manager

tammi@southernoregon.org

Tammi Mendels is an accomplished professional in the tourism industry, currently serving as the Ashland Welcome Center Manager. With 15 years of experience, she possesses expertise in tourism, customer service, and volunteer management. For 28 years, Tammi worked at Harry and David, culminating in her role as Mailing Services Manager. She has significantly contributed to the industry through her work at Travel Medford. Notably, creating the Jackson County Visitor Map and effectively supervised a team of 50+ volunteers.

 

Beyond her professional endeavors, she actively engages in the community with the Medford Jazz Festival, Southern Oregon Kennel Club, and Soroptimists International Medford. In her free time, you can find her enjoying leisurely walks with her dogs and exploring new recipes in the kitchen.

Raena Rodgers (She/Her)

Destination Marketing Manager

raena@southernoregon.org

Raena comes to Travel Southern Oregon after serving 7 years as the marketing manager of a DMO in the southern Oregon region. She is passionate about sustainable tourism, stewardship, collaborating with local businesses, and believes in promoting the unique cultural and natural assets of each destination. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, visiting local eateries, and participating in community events with her husband and two children.

Emele Hibdon (She/Her)

PR & Media Relations

emele@southernoregon.org

Lanessa Pierce (She/Her)

Social Media Coordinator

whattodoinsouthernoregon@gmail.com

Lanessa Pierce is the owner and social media manager of “What to Do in Southern Oregon” a local events blog, website and social media outlet showcasing the region’s best events and adventures. Lanessa enjoys all that Oregon has to offer with her husband and two children, getting outdoors as much as possible. She is also passionate about local homegrown music, food, beer and wine.

Current Job Openings with Travel Southern Oregon

We currently have no job openings at TSO. Thank you for checking.

Current job openings at the Welcome Center

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