Valley Forge Casino CEO Named Head of Tourism Board

The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board has appointed Valley Forge Casino Resort CEO and President Michael S. Bowman as its new president. Bowman currently serves as chair and interim president of the tourism board, taking over the full official duties on June 15. The move means that Bowman will step down from his position at the resort, replaced by CFO Alex Figueras and Chief Marketing Officer Jennifer Galle until a permanent replacement is found, according tot he Philadelphia Business Journal.

“Mike Bowman is a highly skilled and experienced hospitality executive having worked for some of the largest and most successful hospitality companies in the world,” said Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chairman Josh Shapiro. “When we initiated our search earlier this year, the board immediately approached Mike, given his familiarity with the board’s current direction, his proven creativity and energy and his strong customer service focus.”

Bowman has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, according to a statement from the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board. Prior to Valley Forge Casino Resort, he worked at Rush Gaming from 2010 to 2011 and at Harrah’s Entertainment from 1999 to 2010. Bowman started his career as an executive chef and from 1990 to 1999 was regional corporate executive chef for Wyndham International Hotels and Resorts. He is a 1982 graduate with honors from the Culinary Institute of New York.

“I am ecstatic to be appointed VFTCB president,” said Bowman. “As board chair for the past two years, I am very familiar with all of our programs, our members and the wealth of tourism and convention assets in Montgomery County. I look forward to shining a light on all that Montgomery County has to offer and to working even more closely with our members in every area of the county.”

In 2015, VFTCB will focus on the upcoming World Meeting of Families and visit of Pope Francis to the region where Pope Francis is expected to stay at Saint Charles Seminary in Wynnewood, Montgomery County. In 2016, many of Montgomery County’s hotels, restaurants and attractions will host delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Montgomery County tourism is responsible for more than 21,000 jobs and $1.6 billion in revenue.

(Photo: Michael Bowman/The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board)