Susan Whitaker

Susan Whitaker graduated from Northwestern University. From 2003 to 2015, served as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, a cabinet-level position to which she was appointed by two consecutive gubernatorial administrations. In 2013, was named National Tourism Director of the Year by the U.S. Travel Association’s National Council of State Travel Directors. Also served as the co-chair of the Tennessee’s Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission, Board Member for the Franklin Battle Trust, Secretary of the U.S. Travel Association’s Board of Directors, Co-Chair of the Tennessee State Fair Commission, and Member of the Smoky Mountains Park Commission. Although a Chicago native, she is a direct descendent of Tennessee’s first Governor John Sevier.