The new executive director of Walton County’s Tourist Development Council has been on the job just three weeks, but seems to be taking things in stride during the county’s busiest time of the year.
Jim Bagby is still evaluating and assessing his new position, surroundings and employees, but he is accustomed to some things because he has worked in the county for almost 10 years.
As town manager of Rosemary Beach, Bagby sat on TDC committees and worked with three of his predecessors: Kriss Titus, Sonny Mares and Dawn Moliterno.
He said his knowledge of the county is a strength.
“I understand that the needs of Sandestin residents are not the needs of 30A residents or those living north of the bay. I understand the complexities of my environment and the county better than the others did,” he said.
Bagby also knows most of the county commissioners, members of the TDC’s advisory council, those in the Walton County Taxpayers Association and most of 30A’s movers and shakers.
“I’ve got a lot of relationships built up, particularly in the south end. That will help me at the TDC,” said Bagby.
He also plans to avoid controversies previous TDC directors faced.
First off, if it is determined that a new TDC building is needed, he said he definitely will not build it on state forest land, referring to one of Moliterno’s major controversies.
Bagby did say that the TDC’s existing office at the intersection of U.S. Highway 331 and U.S. Highway 98 is a “horrible location.”
“But we do get a lot of visitors stopping in. Some are travelers just looking for a clean restroom, but a lot are not and are seeking information. I have met with DAG Architects and we’re doing renovations on the second floor,” he said.
“But I will not vote to put a center in the state forest,” he said. “We will base it on the ISP (Institute for Senior Professionals) report. If there is a need for a different facility, I will make a recommendation that it be located north of the town center annex.”
But Bagby said that issue is a year or more out.
He also wants to use committees much like Titus did.
“I am working to see how Kriss set them up and mirror the process for an advisory council,” he said. “There are a lot of smart people in Walton County. Let’s engage them.”
Bagby sat on the TDC Beach Management Committee under Titus and Mares.
“Having committees enabled the TDC to socialize info going on inside the TDC,” Bagby added. “I was the eastern end representative at the TDC, as I saw a lot of Rosemary Beach people and people from Alys Beach who called me because they knew I sat on the committee. It is the way people know stuff. Most people get their information from other people, not by reading. And committees are a way to get people invested in the process.”
As for any personnel changes, he said he is taking suggestions from his staff and senior leaders.
“Turnover is good, as questions are then asked and it forces us to rethink why we do things a certain way. But I have no predisposed notions. After I look at all suggestions, I will then make recommendations,” he said.
However, Bagby does not think people will be let go.
“But if any are, it won’t be right off. I have taken over 40 or 50 organizations and never fired anyone when I first got there. I think that’s poor management because when you do that, you get rid of everyone who knew what was going on,” he said.