By Staff
TOURISM Sandy Bynum, who will assume her duties as Lauderdale County Tourism Commission director at the first of the year, stands with one of Meridian's landmarks the Dentzel Carousel in Highland Park. Photo by Fredie Carmichael/The Meridian Star
By Fredie Carmichael/The Meridian Star
Dec. 4, 2001
When Sandy Bynum starts talking about her new job as tourism director for Lauderdale County, her eyes widen with every word.
The Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Monday to hire Bynum to replace Allison Beasley as the head of Lauderdale County's Tourism Commission. Beasley resigned in October after heading local tourism efforts for four years.
Bynum, coordinator of Meridian Community College's Broadcast Communications Technology program for the past year, has strong credentials in tourism promotion efforts both at the local and state levels.
A native of Magee, she served as manager of advertising and promotions for the Tourism Division of the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development in Jackson (now known as the Mississippi Development Authority). She was active in other state and regional tourism development efforts and has won awards for marketing and promotional campaigns.
District 3 Supervisor Craig Hitt, who served on the committee that nominated Bynum, said she brings a lot of experience to the job.
Bynum said she hopes to spend some time over the next few weeks exploring ways to incorporate the area's history and attractions into a comprehensive tourism development strategy for Lauderdale County.
Bynum said she's already considering ideas that would help market Lauderdale County to potential visitors.
Bynum, who takes over as tourism director at the first of the year, holds a master's degree in public relations from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she also earned a bachelor's degree in communications. She has completed several tourism-specific advanced educational programs and has held membership in a number of state, regional and national tourism promotion organizations.
She is married to Buddy Bynum, editor of The Meridian Star, and the couple has two children. Their son, Jarrod, is a senior at Mississippi State University, and daughter, Sarah, is a senior in high school. The Bynum's attend St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Meridian.
Fredie Carmichael is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3228, or e-mail him at fcarmichael@themeridianstar.com.