Alexandra Pierce’s first job experience came on Juneau’s docks, where she helped visitors onto buses as a dock representative for local tourism operations. In her new post, as the City and Borough of Juneau’s tourism manager, she will help chart a path forward for the industry, which is projected to bring millions of people — and dollars — to the capital city in the coming years.<\/p>\n
The role, which is newly created, was a recommendation from the Visitor Industry Task Force, formed by Mayor Beth Weldon.<\/p>\n
In July, members of the city Assembly agreed to move forward with the process of seeking a full-time tourism manager, and Pierce was appointed late last month.<\/p>\n
Pierce, who is currently the planning manager for CBJ’s Community Development Department, officially steps into the role later this month. According to city officials, she will be paid $120,182.40 a year for her work.<\/p>\n
In the last few years, Pierce has touched on aspects of tourism management through her work with CBJ. She served as staff to the Visitor Industry Task Force and managed the tourism-focused survey the city executed this summer. The results of which were shared with the City Assembly earlier this week. <\/a><\/p>\n “As the role was developing, I realized I was interested in it,” she told the Empire in an interview Monday. “My background is in long-term planning and I had moved away from that a little bit.”<\/p>\n She said she is excited to focus on new projects and use the experience she’s gained along the way as she tackles the new job.<\/p>\n “I’m really excited about this role. In our master plan, we talked about moving from reactive to proactive. If I have an overarching goal, that’s it,” she said.<\/p>\n Pierce said that working through the Visitor Industry Task Force recommendations is at the top of her to-do list.<\/p>\n “The Assembly has decision points for issues upcoming now through July. That work will be a big part of my role,” she said.<\/p>\n