Tourism was supposed to be a stopgap job for Bill Stevens — meant only to be a five-year gig, or so, as a way to lift and promote the people, and community, of Cadiz and Trigg County.
Nearly 17 years later, the Trigg County High School graduate said goodbye to the career and hello to retirement Tuesday afternoon — accepting scores of guests and dignitaries at the Welcome Center near I-24.
So much has changed since Stevens first took the position.
At one time split between the highway location and the Old Log Cabin on Main Street, the tourism office during his tenure has shifted in both size and scope — just as Kentucky, in general, has moved the industry from afterthought, to front and center.
That re-centering, Stevens said, really helped refocus purpose and belief.
When he was originally hired, he and three other employees worked through a budget around $100,000.
Regional growth, along with the collection of restaurant and transient tax, has moved that annual coffer closer to $600,000 – an increase of nearly 600% in less than 20 years.
While there were several successful moments during his time — including the 2017 Eclipse, continued support of the annual Trigg County Country Ham Festival, and a number of large fishing tournaments in Land Between the Lakes — Stevens said there had been some lean moments, especially early on, and then in 2020 through the pandemic.
Support from the Trigg County Fiscal Court and Cadiz City Council, he added, proved pivotal.
Stevens noted he will miss working with different community groups, and especially his staff, the most — where it was his job to try and plan and work through positive activities for citizens of the area and its visitors, while enticing others to remain here for rest and recreation.
Stevens first worked, and retired, from Kentucky State Parks through the Lake Barkley State Resort before accepting this post. Now, with more free time, he has more opportunity to focus on his family, his health, and his potential efforts through other angles.
Longtime assistant Jamie Lewis has accepted his duties until the next executive director is hired.
