Pilgrim resigns as CVB director

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, August 27, 2002

Jim Pilgrim resigned as executive director of the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau after serving on it for almost five years, board members confirmed Monday.

Pilgrim’s position at the CVB had been one focused on promoting Freeborn County and Albert Lea by working with local hotels and hotel owners throughout the region to develop a stronger tourist industry.

Members of the CVB board of directors said Pilgrim resigned for personal reasons. Pilgrim was unavailable for comment Monday.

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The CVB has already begun looking for someone to fill the position, and Pilgrim will remain in his job for a couple of weeks during the search for a new director, said Al Weisert, a member of the CVB board.

&uot;Jim did a good job through some growing pains for the CVB,&uot; said Al Weisert, a member of the CVB board of directors. &uot;During Jim’s time, the CVB also had to go through some growing pains.&uot;

The agency had experienced friction with the city of Albert Lea, which administers a local hotel tax, which provides funding for the CVB’s activities. Last year, the city and the agency disagreed over how much of the funds the CVB would get and how often the money would be appropriated.

The new director will bring fresh ideas, at the same time the city is set to get a new mayor, and possibly other new officials, in elections this fall, Weisert said.

&uot;This will give us a fresh start for the CVB, a fresh start for Albert Lea. It’s excellent timing, especially with new leaders coming in,&uot; he said.

&uot;On behalf of the board of the CVB, we are happy for Jim that he made this great choice, and we’re happy to start with fresh new leadership,&uot; he added.

&uot;Now it’s onward and upward for the CVB,&uot; added Don Malinsky, a CVB board member.