Georgia exec in line to lead Space Coast tourism office

Brevard County Manager Stockton Whitten has selected a Georgia tourism industry executive to lead the Space Coast Office of Tourism.

Whitten's appointment of Eric Garvey, chief communications officer and deputy director of the Jekyll Island Authority, is subject to confirmation at Tuesday's Brevard County Commission meeting.

Garvey — who was one of 66 applicants — would succeed Rob Varley, who will retire at the end of this month after 20 years as director of the Office of Tourism. If confirmed, Garvey would start his new job Nov. 5.

Garvey has worked since 2000 at the Jekyll Island Authority in Georgia, which manages a state-owned barrier island resort that includes 10 miles of beaches, four golf courses, a 250-acre historic landmark district and various lodging establishments. Before he took is current post in 2009, he was the authority's senior director of marketing and business development.

He previously held management positions at a promotional marketing company on St. Simons Island, Georgia, and a graphic design firm in Atlanta.

Garvey said, if he is confirmed by the County Commission, his first goal as tourism director will be to meet local tourism officials to help determine "what the challenges and opportunities are" for the Space Coast tourism industry. He said he wants to "get a complete and deep understanding" of tourism from "the key stakeholders in the community."

Brevard County Human Resources Director Frank Abbate said Garvey "came across well" during his interviews with Brevard officials, as well as during a separate open meeting with county commissioners, local tourism industry representatives and others. Abbate said the four members of a county selection committee that included himself, Whitten and two members of the advisory Brevard County Tourist Development Council all were "favorably impressed," and rated Garvey among their top two choices for the position.

Abbate said committee members are confident Garvey will be able to move the Office of Tourism "forward in a very positive way."

In his resume, Garvey describes his experience as "20 years of leading people in the boardroom, in the office, around the dinner table and on the soccer field. Creative thinking, combined with pragmatic leadership, delivering actionable solutions."

Whitten proposes a $108,000 annual salary for Garvey — $4,000 less that Varley has been making. The job announcement said the salary of Varley's successor would be "dependent upon qualifications and experience."

Tourism is estimated to be a $2.86 billion-a-year industry in Brevard County and is responsible for 20,900 local jobs.

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649 or dberman@floridatoday.com Follow him on Twitter at @ByDaveBerman and on Facebook at facebook.com/dave.berman.54

IF YOU GO

The Brevard County Commission is scheduled to vote on confirming the appointment of Eric Garvey as director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism during its meeting that begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Brevard County Government Center, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera.