Alabama Tourism Department Recognizes 2026 Industry Leaders

Sosthenes Sealy is the manager of the Alabama Dekalb Welcome Center located on I-59 in Northeast Alabama. He has worked for the Alabama Tourism Department Welcome Center for 12 years. Sealy is a graduate of Faulkner University (2012). He loves his big family, exotic and fast cars, traveling, cooking, going to waterfalls, museums, hanging with friends, and playing softball and basketball. He is also a fan of the Tennessee Volunteers.

A graduate of Auburn University at Montgomery, Dwayne earned his Bachelor of Arts in Design in 1995. He has been a valued member of the Alabama Tourism Department for the past 10 years, serving as a designer for more than eight of those years. Through his creativity and attention to detail, he has helped tell Alabama’s story and promote the state as a destination travelers are eager to experience. His talent, reliability, and collaborative approach have made him a respected and trusted member of the team.

He and his wife, Wendy, have been married for 30 years and are the proud parents of two daughters, Sophie and Grace. He is also a granddad of two. A devoted fan of Auburn University sports and Chicago Cubs baseball, he enthusiastically supports his favorite teams through every season. He is also active in his church and values the friendships and community connections that enrich his life. Known for his kindness, steady nature, and dedication to both his work and those around him, he is someone who leaves a positive impression wherever he goes.

Janae Hudson-Walley is a marketing and communications professional with Visit Mobile whose creativity, strategic thinking, and innovative storytelling have helped elevate the destination’s visibility and engagement. Since joining the organization, she has played a key role in expanding Visit Mobile’s digital presence, contributing to nearly two million website sessions in 2024 while driving growth through content development, influencer partnerships, and audience-focused marketing initiatives.

Janae has been instrumental in the success of Visit Mobile’s destination marketing efforts, including the expansion of the organization’s blog program and the execution of campaigns such as Upgrade Your Expectations and #SoMobile. Through her leadership in digital marketing, social media, and brand storytelling, she has helped strengthen Mobile’s tourism brand, increase visitor awareness, and support the continued growth of the destination’s tourism economy.

The Birmingham Zoo is Alabama’s only AZA-accredited zoo and a premier tourism and educational attraction, welcoming more than 502,000 visitors in 2025—the highest attendance since the pandemic. Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the Zoo continued to enhance the visitor experience through new exhibits, conservation initiatives, and family-friendly events that attract guests from across Alabama and beyond.

In 2025, the Zoo opened Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing in Alabama Wilds, welcomed 85 new animals, and expanded its impact through educational programming and inclusive guest experiences. Signature events such as Glow Wild, Zoo Brews, Eggstravaganza, and Hoots & Howls drove strong community engagement, while the Zoo’s award-winning 70th anniversary marketing campaign generated more than 23 million impressions, nearly 1,000 media placements, and helped grow its social media audience to more than 229,000 followers. Through conservation, education, and tourism, the Birmingham Zoo continues to play a vital role in Birmingham’s visitor economy and quality of life.

The Alabama Bass Trail Media Team is a 14-member production team dedicated to showcasing Alabama’s world-class fishing destinations, outdoor recreation opportunities, and host communities through innovative live and televised content. Through strategic storytelling and high-quality production, the team plays a vital role in promoting Alabama as a premier outdoor tourism destination.

In 2025, the team produced 180 hours of live tournament coverage across 15 Alabama Bass Trail events and created 16 original 30-minute television episodes that aired on FanDuel Sports Network. These productions highlighted Alabama’s lakes, landscapes, and communities while reaching audiences across the region and nation.

The impact of the team’s work has been substantial, generating more than 39 million views through live broadcasts and television programming. Additionally, tournament photography and aerial drone content reached more than 5 million viewers worldwide, providing extensive exposure for Alabama’s outdoor tourism assets and local destinations.

By connecting millions of viewers with Alabama’s natural resources and recreational experiences, the Alabama Bass Trail Media Team serves as a powerful ambassador for the state’s tourism industry, driving awareness, visitation, and economic opportunity for communities across Alabama.

Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association serves as the destination marketing organization for North Alabama’s 16 counties and is a recognized leader in accessible tourism development. Through its Creating the Accessible-Friendly North Alabama Region campaign, the organization launched a comprehensive effort to position North Alabama as one of the most accessible travel destinations in the Southeast. In partnership with Wheel the World and more than 200 hotels, attractions, outdoor recreation sites, and events, the campaign provided professional accessibility assessments that offer travelers verified, reliable information for trip planning.

At the center of the initiative is Accessible North Alabama, a first-of-its-kind regional platform featuring detailed accessibility information, sensory-friendly attractions and events, certified accessible-friendly businesses, downloadable itineraries, and direct booking opportunities. The campaign also hosted accessibility influencers whose authentic travel experiences generated impactful content and expanded awareness among travelers with disabilities and mobility needs. In addition, a partnership with Travels with Darley’s Adventures produced the documentary Under the Sun, Moon & Stars: Accessible North Alabama with Wonders Within Reach, which earned recognition at the TravelAbility Film Festival and aired on United Airlines flights nationwide during Disability Pride Month.

Beyond marketing, Alabama Mountain Lakes invested in long-term accessibility improvements through industry training, certification programs, sensory inclusion initiatives, and community grants. More than 100 tourism professionals completed accessibility training, while grants, donated equipment, and partner support generated more than $185,000 in accessibility improvements across the region. Through innovation, collaboration, and measurable impact, the campaign has strengthened communities, expanded tourism opportunities, and established North Alabama as a national model for accessible travel.

The Southern Rail Commission is an interstate compact agency dedicated to improving passenger rail service and transportation connectivity across the Gulf Coast region. Through decades of leadership, collaboration, and advocacy, the Commission successfully helped restore Amtrak passenger rail service between Mobile and New Orleans, reconnecting communities across Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana for the first time in more than 20 years.

Working with local, state, regional, and federal partners, the Southern Rail Commission played a critical role in advancing a project that strengthens tourism, supports economic development, and expands transportation options throughout the Gulf Coast. Since its launch, ridership has exceeded projections by more than two and a half times, demonstrating strong demand and creating new opportunities for visitors to explore destinations, attractions, and communities across the region.

Kelsey Rush is the President and CEO for Visit Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County’s destination marketing organization.  Rush has over 15 years of experience in integrated marketing communications, event development, community relations, and sponsorships, and has a passion for serving her community. Throughout her professional career, she has also worked in the banking industry and holds additional tourism and bank marketing credentials.  Rush is currently the President of the Alabama Association of Destination Marketing Organizations and was appointed by Governor Ivey to serve on the Alabama Tourism Advisory Board.  She is also on Destination International’s Advocacy Committee, a board member for Theatre Tuscaloosa, a member of the Mayor’s Business Advisory Committee, and a past executive committee and board member for the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce.  Rush is a proud graduate of the 2024-2025 Alabama Leadership Initiative Class VII.

Rush completed her master’s degree in marketing communication management with The University of Alabama Online in 2022 and holds a travel marketing professional (TMP) certification through the Southeast Tourism Society.  In 2020, she received the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama’s Charles H. Land Member of the Year award and has been a recipient of the United Way Young Leaders “United in Service” award in addition to various other recognitions for her community engagement.  Kelsey is married to Richard Rush and welcomed their first child, John Bennett (JB), in 2025.

Florence native Keely Law brings more than 30 years of hospitality experience and a lifelong passion for serving others to every aspect of her work and community involvement. Her career began as a restaurant server and has evolved into a distinguished leadership role as Senior Sales Manager at Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa, where she is known for her creativity, authenticity, and dedication to showcasing the Shoals region to visitors from across the country.

Throughout her career, Keely has earned numerous professional honors, including recognition in Marriott International’s President’s Circle Sales Program and being named the “2025 Sales Manager of the Year” for PCH Hotels & Resorts. Her commitment to Alabama tourism extends far beyond her professional responsibilities through her service on the boards of the Alabama Travel Council and the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, where she actively promotes tourism and travel throughout the state.

Deeply committed to community service, Keely also serves on the boards of two Shoals-area nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for disadvantaged individuals. In both her professional and personal life, she leads with integrity, compassion, and a genuine desire to connect people. As a mother of two, she encourages her children to be lifelong learners and values authentic conversations centered on responsibility, transparency, and service. Keely believes that by honoring our differences, we strengthen the connections that unite us.

Dr. David G. Bronner is one of the most influential figures in Alabama’s modern economic and tourism development history. A native of Minnesota, he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Minnesota State University, Mankato before moving to Alabama to attend the University of Alabama, where he received a Juris Doctor degree in 1971 and a Ph.D. in 1972. After serving as Assistant Dean of the University of Alabama School of Law, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) in 1973 at just 28 years old. Under his leadership, RSA grew from approximately $500 million in assets to more than $43 billion, securing the retirement benefits of hundreds of thousands of Alabama public employees and educators.

Beyond his work in public pensions, Dr. Bronner transformed Alabama’s tourism and economic landscape through visionary investments that have generated jobs, attracted visitors, and stimulated development statewide. His most recognized achievement is the creation of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail; a collection of world-class golf courses that helped establish Alabama as an international golf destination and significantly expanded the state’s tourism industry. Through RSA, he also spearheaded investments in landmark projects including the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in Point Clear, the Battle House Hotel and RSA Tower in Mobile, the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa in Birmingham, and the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center. These developments have strengthened communities, enhanced Alabama’s image, and supported economic growth across the state.

For more than five decades, Dr. Bronner has combined financial stewardship with a long-term vision for Alabama’s future. His leadership has helped make RSA one of the nation’s most respected public pension systems while leveraging strategic investments to advance tourism, business recruitment, downtown revitalization, and economic development. His lasting impact can be seen in communities throughout Alabama, where projects championed by RSA continue to attract visitors, create opportunities, and contribute to the state’s prosperity.

Bill Dowling is a respected leader in Alabama’s hospitality and tourism industry with a career spanning four decades. Having held leadership positions at premier properties, including the Wynfrey Hotel, The Westin Huntsville, and multiple Hilton hotels, he currently serves as Director of Sales & Marketing at Valley Hotel Homewood Birmingham, where he combines strategic leadership, hospitality expertise, and community engagement to support both the property and the destination.

A passionate advocate for Alabama tourism, Bill has served as Co-Chair of the Alabama Tourism Bash for more than 15 years and continues to provide leadership through organizations including the Alabama Travel Council and the Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism. His contributions have earned numerous industry honors, including Alabama Tourism Professional of the Year, the Alabama Travel Council Award of Excellence, and Valor Hospitality’s Sales Leader of the Year. Through his dedication, service, and leadership, Bill has played a significant role in strengthening Alabama’s tourism and hospitality industry.

Lee Sentell is Alabama’s longest-serving tourism director and one of the state’s most influential champions of tourism, history, and economic development. A native of Ashland, Alabama, he graduated from Auburn University with a degree in journalism in 1967 and began his career as a newspaper editor before becoming the first director of the Decatur Tourism Bureau. His passion for storytelling and community development laid the foundation for a career dedicated to promoting Alabama and its people.

Before joining the Alabama Tourism Department, Sentell held leadership roles with the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and Huntsville tourism. He helped establish the Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic and recruited the first 100,000 students to attend Space Camp, contributing to the growth of one of the world’s most successful educational programs.

Appointed Director of the Alabama Tourism Department in 2003 by Governor Bob Riley, Sentell has served under multiple governors and six cabinet terms. During his tenure, Alabama’s visitor economy has grown from approximately $4 billion annually to more than $25 billion in visitor spending. He also created the award-winning “Year of” campaign series and secured licensing rights to “Sweet Home Alabama,” helping establish one of the nation’s most recognizable tourism brands.

Among his most significant accomplishments is the creation of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, which united historic sites across 15 states into a single heritage tourism experience. The initiative earned international recognition, including the World Travel Market’s Best Regional Destination Campaign award in London, and helped position Alabama as a leader in cultural heritage tourism. In 2021, he authored The Official U.S. Civil Rights Trail: What Happened Here Changed the World, further preserving and sharing this important history.

Throughout his career, Sentell has served on numerous cultural, historical, and tourism boards while advocating for the preservation of Alabama’s heritage. Through storytelling, innovation, and visionary leadership, he has elevated Alabama’s image, strengthened its economy, and inspired generations to discover the people, places, and stories that make the state unique.