NEW CASTLE, Pa. – After more than 28 years of service, Janet Falotico has announced her retirement as the executive director of Visit Lawrence County, the tourism promotion agency.
Since joining the agency in 1998 and taking the helm as executive director in 2014, Falotico has been a driving force behind the county’s tourism growth. Under her leadership, the county recently saw a record increase in tourism revenue.
Replacing Falotico will be Ginny Jacob Colella, assistant director, who will take over as executive director June 1.
Falotico has many career highlights, including:
- Mentoring new destination marketing organization (DMO) directors across the state in the tourism industry.
- Developing a DMO toolkit for all DMO directors in the state, as well as for newly elected state tourism officials.
- Obtaining National Recreation Trail status for the Stavich Bicycle Trail.
- Facilitating Lawrence County as a filming location for the season-opening episode of NBC’s “The West Wing.”
- Serving as chairwoman of the New Castle Fireworks Festival and mistress of ceremonies for numerous regional events.
- Obtaining a state grant on behalf of the Cathedral Foundation to bring in big-stage events, including Howie Mandel in April.
Falotico also served on many committees and boards of directors, including the New Castle Holiday Parade, New Castle Downtown Business Association, New Castle Fireworks Festival, New Castle Playhouse and Lawrence County Economic Development.
“Janet’s passion for Lawrence County is unmatched,” said Jonathan Wright, president of Visit Lawrence County. “She has not only promoted our landmarks but has built the partnerships that make our local economy thrive.”
Falotico plans to spend her retirement traveling and continuing her lifelong passion for the arts and community theater.
Pictured at top: Janet Falotico, at her retirement party at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle, Pa.