Gov. Bob McDonnell has reappointed James "Jim" Ricketts, executive director of the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, to the Virginia Tourism Corp. board of directors.

Ricketts’ appointment is for six years, and the VTC board has elected him vice chairman for at least another year. Ricketts, who serves on the board of the U.S. Travel Association and is past chairman Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance, joined the Beach CVB in 1974 and led it since 1988.

“It’s an honor to continue to serve on the board of directors for the Virginia Tourism Authority board,” Ricketts said in a statement. “Last year was a banner year for Virginia's tourism industry, resulting in record increases in revenue and job creation.”

Based in Richmond, the VTC was created by the General Assembly to maintain and expand Virginia’s domestic and international travel market and motion picture industry to boost visitor spending, tax revenues and employment. The board includes the lieutenant governor, the secretary of commerce and trade, the secretary of finance and the secretary of natural resources.

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