Lee Sentell retires after 20+ years as Alabama Tourism Director

Lee Sentell, the longest serving tourism director in the country, is retiring from his post at the Alabama Tourism Department.

Sentell, who was first appointed by Gov. Bob Riley in 2003, oversaw massive growth in the state’s tourism revenue. In his tenure, the annual revenue grew from $6 billion to nearly $25 billion.

“Alabama is a truly special place, and it has been the honor of my career to share its people, places, and stories with visitors from across the country and around the world… I am grateful for the partnerships and friendships we’ve built, and I look forward to seeing Alabama’s tourism industry continue to thrive for generations to come.”

Lee Sentell, Alabama Tourism Director

READ MORE: Alabama Tourism Earns Global Recognition for Year of Alabama Trails Campaign

Prior to joining the Alabama Department of Tourism, Sentell was the first director of marketing at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville and recruited the first 100,000 students to Space Camp.

Sentell has served as a board member at:

• Alabama Historical Commission
• Alabama Humanities Foundation
• Alabama State Council on the Arts
• Alabama Shakespeare Festival
• Rosa Parks Museum
• Encyclopedia of Alabama

Under Sentell’s leadership, the Tourism Department pioneered annual campaigns spotlighting such diverse themes as small towns, the arts, barbecue, natural wonders, birding, and the Alabama Bicentennial celebration, winning the national industry’s coveted Mercury Award six times in 12 years. 

Read the full story to learn more about Sentell’s career + find out who will be the new Tourism Director.